David Harris is a Seattle-based Design Researcher on the Experience Collective team at Microsoft, adapting Office and AI solutions with responsible and inclusive design practices to build experiences that help people be more productive, tell more compelling stories, and create more effectively with others.
In addition to providing his research, design and strategy expertise in building products for the private sector, he has also contributed his skills to developing and improving services for the public and non-profit domains. In 2014, David was listed as Seattle Magazine's 51 most influential in Seattle for his organizing of neighborhood-based events, at which entrepreneurs of the African diaspora co-designed culturally-relevant ventures.
As a result of his bias towards participatory design methods, David's community leadership transitioned to a public service position in 2015 as the Startup Advocate for the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development. During his time in government, he provided key research and insights on the future of work in emerging industries like Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality and helped to negotiate the terms of over $4M in grants and subsidies for community-led technology workforce training and resources.
He credits his current work at the forefront of generative Artificial Intelligence, and weekly volunteering at the 24-Hour Crisis Line, for his recent interest in the role of empathy in sociotechnical systems. As a relatively new father with training in Human Centered Design and Engineering, he is also very keen on expanding his knowledge about Experience Design for families.
Other Experience
Design Researcher
Microsoft, Experience Collective
2021 - presentUX Researcher
Lumedic
2019-2021UX Researcher
Microsoft, AI+Research and Bing Studio
2019Startup Advocate
City of Seattle Office of Economic Development
2015 - 2019Master of Science in Human Centered Design and Engineering
The University of Washington
2014 - 2018Lead Organizer
Hack the Central District
2014 - 2015STEM Integration Program Manager
TAF (Technology Access Foundation)
2010 - 2015Mac Genius
Apple
2009 - 2010Founder
Dream Allies Tutoring
2008 - 2010Software Design Engineer in Test
Microsoft, Office and Business Intelligence
2006 - 2009Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
The University of Michigan
2001 - 2006
Awards
2017 Crosscut Courage Award - Technology
2016 National Urban League Young Professionals: “Heroes in the Movement” Award
2015 University of Michigan Black Alumni Award: “Making a Difference - Technology”
2015 The Seattle Weekly Best Tech Idea
2015 Geekwire Awards: “Geek of the Year” Finalist
2014 Seattle Magazine: 51 Most Influential in Seattle