Thomas Essl

Thomas Essl is a product design leader with extensive experience in artificial intelligence (AI) and user experience (UX). He is the Founding Director of Mustard Navy, an AI product design studio, and advises Sorai on AI product design and innovation. His work consistently focuses on crafting AI products that empower users and drive outcomes, as evidenced by his current role and his frequent posts on LinkedIn and X discussing AI tools, generative AI, and UX efficiency in AI. mustardnavy+3

With a strong background in both design and engineering, Thomas holds Master's degrees in Innovation Design Engineering from Imperial College London and Royal College of Art, and a Bachelor's in Industrial Design Scionic. This dual expertise allows him to bridge the gap between complex technology and intuitive user experiences, a skill he applied in roles at Google, McKinsey, and as an early employee at Hinge Health where he designed both software and hardware solutions. thomasessl+2

Thomas is a prolific writer and thought leader on product design, creativity, and personal development. He publishes the 'Product Innovation' newsletter (formerly 'Seven Things'), contributes articles to Medium, and maintains a personal website where he shares his insights. His writings demonstrate a focus on user-centered design, the future of AI in product development, and how to foster personal and professional growth. substack+5

He has a proven track record of impact in early-stage companies, notably as employee #3 at Hinge Health. In this role, he was instrumental in designing the service, software, and hardware, and establishing the supply chain, which directly contributed to the company's funding success and significant positive health outcomes for users. thomasessl+1