Leah Noble Davidson
Design Researcher & Strategy Consultant

With 10+ years experience in design thinking, I pull from my hybrid background of various design fields and behavioral and cognitive constructs to map solutions to wicked problems and drive epic change. As an experience-based strategist, I’ve driven innovation, translated insights spanning a variety of industries, and galvanized teams for Microsoft, XBox, Intel, Cisco, Leatherman, Toyota, Jive, Puppet Labs, Mercy Corps, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and others.

I have experience reframing globally relevant design constraints into profoundly innovative products and emotionally significant data into brand equity. I deliver inquisitive research planning and reliable execution, product insights around modes, perception, and decision-making, and socially-based, market-savvy strategic direction—from concept to market. Marrying qualitative observation and inquiry with big data and statistics to drive a story instead of merely propping it up, I know how align and activate multidisciplinary teams.

My interest in design began in 2004, when, as an english major, I created a grocery-list-generating application with my software architect boyfriend and his graphic designer brother—they were in charge of the code and graphics;  I took-on the usability design. My love for translating experiences led me to an experimental design research program, an advertising firm, and then into service design and strategy, where I bridge visual patterns with left-brain logic models in work with UX and industrial designers, engineers, and executive marketing teams.

When not delving into what trust means to teenagers, the significance of loyalty to hardcore gamers, or driving monumental change for multi-tools, I’m mentoring start-ups at Oregon Story Board, writing best-selling poetry books, delivering keynote speeches for Intel, GameStorm, CHIFOO, and WeMake, and advising Tinker Camp as a board member.

I have a reputation for being insatiably curious, tactfully tenacious, and ruthlessly charming. I am motivated by increasing the passion and velocity of a group, learning the language of experts, and surprising leadership with compelling results, but don’t take my word for it, read what others have to say.