Strategic. Reflective. System-oriented.
Thomas Otto works at the intersection of design, product and organizational development. With over 14 years of experience, including 6 years leading teams in startups and SaaS environments. He combines deep craft with strategic clarity.
Working across fields where complexity meets experience
I’ve worked across industries consulting, early-stage, and product-driven, mostly where complexity meets experience. If any of the topics I’m working on resonate with your challenges (data platforms, algorithmic systems, robotics, or design leadership) feel free to reach out.
Design influence doesn’t just happen. It emerges.
Design influence doesn’t just happen — it emerges in the spaces between teams, decisions, and systems. This essay explores how design shapes strategy, culture, and structure …
Experience as a Strategic Voice
In this conversation with Pixel + Profit, I share a few thoughts on why UX only becomes impactful when it moves beyond execution and into leadership. We talk about ownership, decision-making, and what changes when experience becomes a strategic partner.
Curiosity for the things beyond the day-to-day job
The Design Human Data Kit is a set of tools and information to enable designers and their interdisciplinary teams to create sustainable and human-centered data services. Developed from a Master’s thesis, iterated with teams and experts and designed for practical use.
Best Presentation Award
MUC 2019
A research project to explore a human-centred and iterative way to create fair and transparent algorithmic systems. Connecting experts, academia and best practices.
A monthly group call of where international design leaders come together and discuss topics and challenges of their current roles. Supporting and grow with each other. (Rands Leadership Community)
feelin’ is a tool for remote workshops, to quickly gather everyone’s mood and to create an entry point for a personal and empathic exchange with each other. Based on the research of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
»traces of surveillance« is a private photo project that attempts to catch and observe the observers. Staging surveillance cameras and bringing them into focus.