Overview

Gender

male

Ryan Powell is the Head of UX Research & Design at Waymo, a self-driving technology company with a mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to move around.

At Waymo, Ryan oversees a talented group of researchers and designers taking a human-centered approach to designing the world’s first self-driving ride-hailing service. He is an accomplished design leader with deep experience in consumer products, and his passion for people, design, and the belief that technology can improve everyday life has been the driving force of his career.

Ryan established Waymo’s UX design principles (transparency, freedom, and consistency), which guide the work his team does to build trust with riders through various visual and sound elements throughout their journey in a Waymo self-driving car. Prior to Waymo, Ryan led teams at Google, Samsung, Xbox, and Motorola. He is especially adept at helping organizations figure out how to create simple, delightful and differentiated experiences that appeal to consumers across a variety of global markets. Ryan earned a Master of Design from the IIT Institute of Design and a BS in Product Marketing from The Ohio State University.