Phillip Alexander Olarte
PRODUCT DESIGNER & MANAGER | CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIST
Imaginative, inquisitive, and results-driven product designer with a storyteller’s heart and a technologist’s mind – crafting products that resonate. 10+ years of expertise designing and managing human-centered software products, both internal and customer-facing, and pioneering immersive experiences in emerging technology end-to-end – specifically AI, geospatial, and mixed reality solutions. Effective and efficient digital translator adept at bridging UX research insights with engineering, seamlessly conveying business goals to technical teams through a fluent understanding of code and digital architecture. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in launching innovative products, from concept to deployment.
Currently finishing a master’s degree at NYU focused on the design and engineering of emerging technology solutions.
Core Competencies
Emerging Technologies: Leverages artificial intelligence, location-based entertainment, and mixed reality to tell the best story
Product Management: Elevates products through competitive analysis, prioritize requirements, prototyping, and trend analysis
User-Centric Product Design: Rapid product iterations by aligning business goals with user feedback using lean product management
Mixed Reality: Created a consumer location-based entertainment app with mixed reality, mobile, and geospatial technologies.
Leadership Strategy: Driving collaboration across stakeholders, mentoring teams, and building a culture of excellence and inclusivity
Analytics and Insights: BI, AB Tests, OKRs and KPIs, consumer behavioral studies, prototyping, UX research, ontology
Professional Experience
NYCXR
Technical Cofounder. 2021 – current. newyorkcityxr.com
- Building mult-sensory AI character for original fictional universe : The MAIA Project web log
- Achieved over one hour of sustained user engagement with original mixed Reality experiences at national landmarks, such as Emily Was Here on the Brooklyn Bridge and Broadway’s Wherefore Art Thou Juliet.
- Produced mixed reality storytelling with Broadway level performers
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR)
Product Director: BSR Materiality Platform. 2021 – 2025
- Launched and continuously improved a robust web app informing Fortune 500 companies’ strategic decisions on environmental and enterprise value.
- Facilitated UX research workshops, rapidly translated business goals into actionable designs, and led global, cross-functional teams of executives, scientists and engineers to deliver human-centered product with advanced API integrations.
ChalkNotes Inc.
Co-founder, Producer & Product Owner. 2019 – 2021
- Designed, Developed and managed a consumer-facing map entertainment platform blending augmented reality, geospatial tech, and audio technologies for mixed reality experiences at real-world landmarks.
- Owned product vision and strategy, established clear product roadmaps, and executed agile development cycles to deliver intuitive user experiences.
- Invented consumer field research for uncontrolled outdoor environments leading to extended content engagement.
The Ford Foundation
Enterprise Knowledge Product Designer. 2016-2019
- Centralized 80 years of institutional data into user-friendly digital platforms, dramatically increased internal adoption and enhancing grant-making efficiency for a $600M annual grant portfolio.
- Led cross-departmental advisory council and internal user research, aligning stakeholders on technology solutions to improve adoption 10x and global operational alignment.
- Developed strategy initiatives using emerging technologies by conducting internal qualitative and quantitative user research to ensure user needs informed system design, improving operational alignment for all of Ford’s employees, both domestic and international.
Tau Investment Management
Product Designer & Manager. 2014-2016
- Designed and managed development of a mobile application to enhance transparency in global supply chain operations for leading apparel brands. Features tailored for limited connectivity and first-time users, ensuring international compliance.
- Conducted in-person ethnographic research across multiple continents to ensure the accessibility and scalability of information systems.
Freelance Consultant – Product Management, Design, Consulting. 2011-2022
- Provided strategic guidance and implementation to over 50 global organizations on UX/UI design, product management, digital transformation, and emerging technology implementation. Delivering intuitive mobile and web products for users across North America, Asia, and Africa.
Key achievements at various companies:
- Developed products to identify human rights offenders, halting millions in unethical purchases.
- Saved customers thousands from day one by leading international team to refactor mar-tech app
- Provided due diligence on a $200M infrastructure investment, ensuring regulatory compliance and data integrity.
- Accelerated revenue on 5X trajectory in 3 months with CRM usability overhaul as a central hub for efficient matchmaking between influencers and brands.
- Sold out experiences and press in NYT and O Magazine. Designed and launched go-to-market identity & customer acquisition strategy resulting in press from 20 major organizations.
- 25% increase in donations after 2 month overhaul of website design and donor experience
- Turned around company from failure in 3 months redesigning inventory systems and workflows.
Education & Certifications
New York University
a.b.t., expected graduation 05/2025
Master of Science, Emerging Technologies & Design | GPA 3.97
Coursework: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Data Science, HCI, creative engineering, storytelling
Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) 2018
UX Master Certificate (UXMC)
Certified specialist in: Interaction Design, UX Research, UX Management
Skills
Product Methods & Tools: Agile Development, Scrum, Lean Product Management, UX research interview design & facilitation, prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe), Human Centered Interaction (HCI), product vision & strategy, storytelling, AB Tests, KPI analysis, consumer behavioral studies, prototyping, ontology management, information management
Emerging Technologies: AI (training and inference), Machine Learning, Data Analysis (Python & R), and Mixed Reality (Unity, Lens Studio, Meta Spark, Lightship)
Programming: Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript (Next, React, p5), Framer, SQL, NoSQL, AWS, C++
Digital visual design: Arduino, Jetson, RasberryPi, MAX MSP, TouchDesigner
Speaking Engagement & Articles
Interactive AI Manifesto – 8 lines in the sand, THE MAIA EXPERIENCE. 2025
Best Practices for Mixed Reality Experience Design in an Open World, UX COLLECTIVE. 2023
Narrative-Driven Mixed Reality, NY MEDIA LAB, NYC. 2022
EMILY WAS HERE: A Unique Experience Where The Brooklyn Bridge Is The Stage, VENTS MAGAZINE. 2022
Product Design & Startup Life, NoMoreCoffeePlease Developer Community, Romania. 2021