Sambuddha Saha
Sambuddha Saha
Experience
Design Strategy +
Creative Direction
Driving Innovation
in Complex Ecosystems
I am an Experience Designer and Strategist with a +20-year track record of delivering innovative solutions that make a difference.
I drive research, foresight, vision, and design work. And have led cross-functional teams building explorations, strategies and solutions for established & startup clients across a range of industries and audiences.
I believe that people do their best work in mission-driven, insights-led, collaborative, people-centric cultures. And I am motivated primarily by the urgent need for radically human– and planet–centered innovation & creativity to tackle the challenges and opportunities of our time.
I am currently writing a series on the transformative potential for digital ecosystems to drive new uses & value, increase sustainability, and mobilize new populations in the automotive & mobility sectors.
Also consulting. And looking for my next team opportunity.
SERVICES
Design Leadership
Research & Insights
Foresight
Vision & Concept
Strategic Direction
Experience & Product Design
Service Design
Writing
Consulting
Workshop Facilitation
WORKED w/
Automotive & Mobility
Volvo Cars, AutoTrader, Manheim
Energy & Sustainability
GE Energy
Finance
Bank of America, GMAC
Retail & Consumer Goods
Target, Home Depot, Coca-Cola
Fashion & Apparel
Prada, Mi Ola, Topology Eyewear
Travel & Hospitality
OpenTable, Hyatt
Technology & Communications
Telenav, AT&T, Sprint
Media
Esquire, Harper's Bazaar
Logistics
DHL
Government
UK Inland Revenue
Agency & Consulting
Publicis Sapient, Digitas, Icon MediaLab
STRATEGY + WRITING
+20YRS
2024–25
Writing & Consulting
2018–24
Lead Experience Design Strategist
Volvo Cars
2014–18
Startups & Consulting
2014–15
Experience Designer & Strategist
OpenTable
2011–13
Director of Experience Design
Telenav & Digitas
2005–10
Creative Director
Publicis Sapient & Coca-Cola
5 PRINCIPLES
facts have a context » peel the onion • all chambers echo » work the white space • analogies are cheap » reason from first principles • talk goes only so far » work reveals the pathways • interpretations diverge » draw together every day
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
+ Initiated the strategy practice in the experience design team at Volvo Cars
+ Built, (co-)led, and mentored global design teams of 20 to 40—research, interaction, visual & motion, content, prototyping—across locations & time zones
+ Worked on the cutting edge of consumer, employee and citizen engagement experiences • Omnichannel retail in fashion & automotive • Customer creativity in food & fashion • the Software-Defined Vehicle • Digital government services • Service workflow design
+ Defined and executed cross-cultural user research programs
+ Collaborated with companies at every scale—from 0–1 startups to global leaders, with varying degrees of maturity in digital practices
+ Co-founded/partnered two startups in apparel retail & marketing
+ Panel speaker at SxSW on the adoption of electric vehicles
DESIGN PROJECTS
HOLLER AT ME