Dan Perkel
About Dan Perkel
Dan Perkel serves as the Executive Director of Media & Technology at IDEO, where he leads initiatives to design new experiences and enhance creative capabilities for partners in the media and technology sectors. He has an extensive background in design and research, having held various roles at IDEO and the University of California, Berkeley, and he utilizes ethnographic methods to inform design strategies.
Work at IDEO
Dan Perkel has held multiple roles at IDEO, contributing to various aspects of design and research. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Media & Technology, a position he has held since 2022. Prior to this, he worked as the Executive Design Director for Research & Insights from 2021 to 2022. His tenure at IDEO also includes roles as Senior Design Director for Design Research and Media & Technology from 2020 to 2021, Design Director from 2018 to 2020, and Design Lead from 2015 to 2017. Perkel utilizes ethnographic methods to inform design strategies and innovations, focusing on sustainable growth for partners in the media and technology sectors.
Education and Expertise
Dan Perkel studied at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned both a PhD and a Master's degree in Information Management and Systems, with an emphasis on New Media. His doctoral studies spanned from 2005 to 2011, while his Master's degree was completed from 2003 to 2005. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford University, which he obtained from 1996 to 2000. His academic background provides a strong foundation for his work in design and technology.
Background
Before joining IDEO, Dan Perkel worked in various capacities at the University of California, Berkeley. His roles included Lead Interaction Designer for the Garage Cinema Research project in 2004, and he served as a researcher for the Digital Youth Project and the Digital Media and Learning Hub from 2004 to 2010. He also worked as an Experience Designer for the Organum Project from 2004 to 2006. Additionally, he held positions at The Hive Group as a User Interface Designer and Product Development Manager, and later as Director of Professional Services from 2002 to 2003.
Achievements
Dan Perkel has made significant contributions to the field of design and technology through his extensive work at IDEO and the University of California, Berkeley. He leads IDEO's Media & Technology business in North America, focusing on designing innovative experiences and enhancing creative capabilities for partners. His expertise in utilizing ethnographic methods has informed various design strategies, helping organizations navigate sustainable growth in the media and technology sectors.