Susanne Ryan

Background

About Susanne Ryan

I'm a Senior Product Designer with 9+ years experience, currently working at Microsoft, previously IDEO. At Microsoft, I’m exploring how the next wave of AI can enhance user experiences, boost productivity and daily workflows, while also rethinking the relationship between chat and canvas to drive a more seamless, cohesive experience and interaction patterns that align with natural human behaviors. What drives me is the challenge to bridge the gap between users and technology to make the world more accessible. I care deeply about infusing more empathy and purpose into my designs to create adaptive experiences that truly serve both users and the business. To achieve this, I approach every project with a critical yet curious mindset, always asking how we can push further - not just to improve usability, but to create more intentional human-centred experiences. I love deconstructing complex problems to build scalable, cross-platform systems, but also find a lot of joy in refining the subtle moments that shape how people feel during an experience. While I may not be a writer, storytelling is central to how I design - balancing strategy, empathy, and systems thinking to create narratives that resonate. For me, design is a tool for change; it’s a way to help shape a more inclusive digital future not only through what I create, but through the way I create it.