Allison Rowe

A leader with over a decade of experience in design strategy, foresight and tech innovation. I envision new futures — guiding teams to develop innovative and emotive products, services and businesses that transport us towards a happier and healthier world. Big on nurturing inclusive, multidisciplinary teams and leading with authenticity.

I run Outout Studio, a multidisciplinary consultancy that helps diverse founders launch purpose-driven initiatives. I lead the Research & Design practice at SPACE10, pursuing a more equitable and regenerative future for people and planet. And I partner with people doing interesting things — currently launching Fix the Code, an initiative to support youth in imagining alternative, values-driven models for data stewardship (backed by a Mozilla Creative Media Award).

Before this, I helped clients future-proof as an Experience Design Director with McKinsey & Company — spotting new commercial opportunities, launching corporate ventures and imbuing companies with people-centric innovation. I explored the future of creativity and AR/VR as a creative technologist leading an innovation team at Microsoft — prototyping new digital experiences and physical products and supporting the development of Microsoft's Paint 3D. In a past life, I developed medical devices for pediatric surgery, managed the global rollout of healthcare software and helped launch a hardware startup making sex toys for women.

Design x StrategyInsights x InstinctTechnology x Ecology

Head of Design
SPACE10
2021 - present
Freelance, 2021 - 2022

Founder
Outout Studio
2021 - present

Experience Design Director
McKinsey & Company
2017 - 2021
Associate Design Director, 2017 - 2018

Innovation Lead
Microsoft, Lift Studio
2015 - 2017

Design Strategist
Native
2015

Design Engineer
Pediatric Device Consortium
University of California, SF
2012 - 2013

Mechanical Engineer
Crave
2011 - 2012

Project Manager / Field Service Engineer
Siemens Healthcare
2009 - 2011

Spoke/mentored at places like...
Design Matters
TEDx
Stockholm TechFest
TechStars

Lectured at schools like...
Central Saint Martins
Royal College of Art
Imperial College

Got schooled in...
M.A. & M.S. Global Innovation Design
Royal College of Art / Imperial College London
In partnership with: Pratt Institute (USA) and Keio University (Japan)
2015, With Distinction


B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Washington University in St. Louis
2009, Cum Laude

For collaborations, freelance gigs, speaking / writing / lecturing requests, or anything else, drop me a line