Product design leader.
Startup founder and advisor.
Advocate for ethics in tech.
“I guide product, design, content, strategy, and research teams through complex problem spaces —— and make tech more human.”
—— Elayne
Product design work ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
MOBILE APPS ╱ CONSUMER WEB ╱ DATA + ADMIN PLATFORMS ╱ XR ╱ VOICE ╱ DESIGN SYSTEMS ╱ CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ╱ INTERNAL TOOLS ╱ AUGMENTED REALITY ╱ OFFLINE EXPERIENCES ╱
I care about…
DESIGN ETHICS ╱ OFFLINE-FIRST DESIGN ╱ AUGMENTED REALITY APPLICATIONS ╱ TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN CULTURAL SHIFTS ╱ COGNITIVE BIASES ╱ POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT ╱ HUMANITARIAN OPPORTUNITIES IN DIGITAL SPACES
Currently, I am leading Product Design and Content Strategy at CNN.
Independently, I am the founder of Eforia and the Choice Architects event series — and a Techstars startup advisor.
On my days off, I sketch, throw elaborate dinner parties, and spend too much time on Instagram.
My home base is Brooklyn, New York.
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“Design decisions are now affecting people across the world in faster, broader, and alarmingly unexpected ways. We can’t afford not to care — and it’s much easier to affect positive change than it seems.”
—— Choice Architects: Design for Humanity’s Best Self panel at SXSW
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“You are almost never better off working as a lone wolf. Ask for advice, surround yourself with a truly diverse group of people, and collaborate. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
—— interview with Women in Wellness
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“When you're a refugee, the idea of home becomes a bit intangible. You lose a solid connection to the country you're from, and never feel quite like you fully belong in your adopted land.”
—— interview with Girls & Their Cats
speaking engagements
Dynamic speaker, panelist and moderator.
Engaging the tech and business community in conversations about a more mindful, ethical approach to development and design.
Committed to representing diverse voices.
Reach out for availability.
WORLD USABILITY DAY: Design for Good or Evil
November 2018 ╱ New York
SXSW CONFERENCE: Featured Design Ethics Panel
March 2018 ╱ Austin, TX
NEW YORK PRODUCT CONFERENCE: Hacking Product Ethics
October 2020 ╱ New York
WOMEN IN GAMES GLOBAL CONFERENCE: Education, Intimacy and the Future of Human Connection
September 2020 ╱ London
BRIDGING THE GAP: Designers & Developers
July 2018 ╱ New York
SHESAYS NY PRESENTS: Choice Architects
March 2018 ╱ New York
June 2020 | London / VR
NEW YORK CODE + DESIGN ACADEMY: Design for Humanity’s Best Self
July 2018 ╱ New York
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Choice Architects
February 2018 ╱ New York
INSIDE THE DESIGN STUDIO PANEL: Diversity in Data and Design
December 2019 ╱ New York
INSIDE THE DESIGN STUDIO PANEL: Enhancing vs. Replacing Human Function with Tech
June 2018 ╱ New York
get in touch!
Email me at elayne.safir@gmail.com, connect on LinkedIn or use the form below.