Rachel Young

Building a BETTER-DESIGNED FUTURE

I am a...

Design leader and strategist with 25 years of experience, including nine years in leadership at IDEO. Guiding numerous companies through complex design challenges, product launches, and strategic pivots. Most of my work at IDEO is privileged and confidential. Public case studies below.

Experience

IDEO

Executive Director

2022–2024

Ideo

Senior Portfolio Director

2021–2022

Ideo

Director

2020–2021

Ideo

Senior Design Lead

2019–2020

Ideo

Design Lead

2016–2019

Character Lab

Director of Engagement

2013–2016

Kipp Schools

Senior Creative Manager

2009–2013

I Have a Dream Foundation

Senior Program Manager

2005–2007

Teach for America

Teacher

2003–2005

Selected

Work

ethiqly

hsla(196.03960396039602, 44.49%, 55.49%, 1.00)

Ethiqly

We Created:

A new app that uses generative ai to help teachers give personalized feedback on essays — while also supporting students in the writing process. Recently mentioned in the NYT.

Deliverables:

Design research, value prop development, product design, AI prototype, development, brand, brand strategy, gtm strategy

RoLe:

Portfolio Director

bendable

hsla(42.56983240223464, 79.56%, 44.12%, 1.00)

Bendable

We Created:

A free learning app that connects residents to local learning opportunities through a city’s library system

Deliverables:

Research insights, product design, development, brand, brand strategy

RoLe:

Project Lead

little-book

hsla(11.900826446280991, 52.38%, 54.71%, 1.00)

Little Book

We Created:

The second edition of the Little Book of Design Research Ethics — a long overdue update of a beloved IDEO resource.

Deliverables:

Fresh research, content development, brand, illustrations

RoLe:

Head of Research

national-science-foundation

hsla(12, 68.33%, 47.06%, 1.00)

National Science Foundation

We Created:

A year-long design curriculum to teach scientists convergence research methods in order to get science to the American people faster.

Deliverables:

Curriculum, strategy, and implementation of modules

RoLe:

Portfolio Director

ebo

hsla(163.50000000000003, 18.87%, 58.43%, 1.00)

Ebo

We Created:

Ebo, a digital literacy app and game (in English and in Arabic) for young children with Down Syndrome and other developmental delays.

Deliverables:

Curriculum, game mechanics, product design, development, brand, and implementation strategy

RoLe:

Curriculum and learning Design Lead

verizon

hsla(238.28571428571428, 12.00%, 43.22%, 1.00)

Verizon

We Created:

Verizon Explorer Lab, an immersive digital STEM learning experience — with an associated iPad game — that takes place entirely on a bus.

Deliverables:

Curriculum, bus design, product and game design and development, implementation roadmap

RoLe:

Curriculum and learning Design Lead

along

hsla(47.92682926829267, 65.60%, 50.98%, 1.00)

Along

We Created:

A brand for Along, a new type of digital tool to facilitate meaningful conversations between students and teachers.

Deliverables:

Brand identity, strategy, expression, and guidelines

RoLe:

Portfolio Director

About

Rachel Young is a design leader and strategist who guides organizations through complex design challenges, product innovation, and strategic transformation. Over nearly a decade in leadership at IDEO, she collaborated with companies like Sony and Microsoft to shape products, scale teams, and define future-facing strategies.

Her work spans brand systems, inclusive digital experiences, storytelling, and qualitative research. Rachel bridges the gap between strategy and making—equally at home crafting high-level vision as she is sketching, prototyping, and building.

Rachel is currently writing a book about inclusive interaction design while advising select clients on product and design strategy. She lives in Oakland, California.

Acknowledgements

I’m grateful for the collaboration I’ve shared with my design colleagues and friends. I am especially grateful to
Sandy Speicher,
Becky Bermont,
Clark Scheffy,
Zena Barakat,
Dan Perkel,
Marta Cuciurean-Zapan,
Alysha English,
Becky Lee,
Brian Pelsoh,
Brittany Butler,
Diane Robinson,
Margarita Florez,
and Mary Clare Reilly
for their mentorship and guidance.

Getting In
Touch