Olivia Vagelos
About Olivia Vagelos
Olivia Vagelos is a Senior Experiential Designer at IDEO, specializing in immersive, multi-sensory experiences. She has a background in community design and education, with previous roles at IDEO and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.
Current Role at IDEO
Olivia Vagelos currently holds the position of Senior Experiential Designer at IDEO's Play Lab. She has been with the organization since 2021, focusing on creating immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Her work emphasizes the importance of connecting individuals and manipulating spacetime to enhance user engagement. In addition to her role as a Senior Experiential Designer, she also serves as the Lead Experiential Designer, contributing to various projects that aim to foster connections among participants.
Previous Experience at IDEO
Olivia Vagelos has a substantial history with IDEO, having worked there in various capacities from 2016 to 2021. She started as a Community Design Intern for four months in 2016, followed by a three-year tenure as a Community Designer until 2019. After that, she advanced to the role of Senior Community and Instructional Designer, where she worked for two years. Her experiences at IDEO have shaped her approach to experiential design and community engagement.
Experience at Hasso Plattner Institute of Design
Olivia Vagelos worked at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, also known as the d.school, in two roles. From 2014 to 2015, she served as an Experience and Program Designer for seven months. Additionally, in 2014, she was a Teaching Assistant for five months. Her time at the d.school contributed to her expertise in design thinking and program development, which she applies in her current work.
Education and Academic Background
Olivia Vagelos studied at Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Industrial and Product Design from 2009 to 2013. This educational background provided her with a strong foundation in design principles and practices. Prior to her studies at Stanford, she completed the International Baccalaureate program at The International School of Uganda from 2007 to 2009.
Focus and Design Philosophy
Olivia Vagelos focuses on crafting rituals as part of her experiential design work. She believes in the power of laughter and the importance of asking beautiful questions to facilitate extraordinary outcomes. Her design philosophy centers on creating meaningful connections among individuals through thoughtfully designed experiences.