Escape Velocity with Miles Kemp, CEO / Design Innovator at Variate

 Tracey Halvorsen welcomes Miles Kemp, CEO and design innovator at Variate. With a background in architecture and experience leading digital transformation for brands like Marriott, Carnival, and Macy’s, Miles brings a unique perspective on the evolving relationship between technology, design, and human experience.

The conversation explores:

• Bridging Architecture and UX: How Miles transitioned from architecture to digital experience design, and how architectural thinking influences his work today.

• Reimagining Customer Experience: Insights from Miles’ work redesigning Marriott’s digital ecosystem, touching over 900 million users worldwide.

• Technology & Humanity: A deep dive into the importance of “the people layer” in technology-driven experiences—highlighted through Miles’ firsthand experience with Prenuvo’s full-body MRI service, which transformed a typically stressful medical procedure into a luxury hospitality-like experience.

• The Future of Work & Design: Why creativity, empathy, and relationship-building are the most valuable skills in an AI-driven world.

• Conway’s Law & Organizational Design: How the way companies communicate internally is reflected in their products and services—and why breaking down silos is key to creating seamless customer experiences.

• Escape Velocity & Trust: The critical role of trust and collaboration in building momentum within organizations and creating breakthrough designs.

• Building for Transformation: How digital projects aren’t just about interfaces—they can fundamentally change brands by shifting how they think, work, and connect with audiences.

This episode is a must-listen for designers, strategists, and business leaders looking to push the boundaries of innovation while keeping people at the center of everything they create.