Seth Starner

About Seth Starner

I believe the most valuable work happens where clarity is scarce and the stakes are real. I translate ambiguity into decisions, ideas into experiments, and experiments into scalable impact. I design clarity out of complexity. Across continents and categories, I help organizations see emerging signals, frame meaningful challenges, and deliver bets that matter—whether through rapid testing, strategic pivots, or by building teams that can adapt and execute in uncertainty. Most recently, I’ve expanded my practice into applying AI in a strategic capacity, helping businesses use it as a tool for clarity and confidence in new ideas so they can move decisively into the market.

Experience

1. Associate Director - Design Research and Strategy

   Crowe

   Apr 2024 — Present · Grand Rapids, MI, US

   At the X-lab at Crowe, I help organizations see clearly through complexity—translating fragmented data, competing priorities, and shifting market signals into strategic choices and future-ready pathways.My work begins with uncovering the underlying tensions and unmet needs across diverse stakeholders—from end-users navigating frontline realities to executives navigating systemic change. Using a blend of structured discovery, signal analysis, and systems thinking, I guide teams through decision-making environments—not just design workshops.My role is to turn ambiguity into action: mapping insights to opportunity areas, surfacing strategic tradeoffs, and shaping concepts that align with both human realities and organizational imperatives.Together with the X-lab team, I help businesses bridge the gap between insight and execution—delivering not just products and services, but evidence-backed bets on what should come next.

Education

• IIT Institute of Design

  Master of Design Methods

• University of Michigan

  B.A. Latin American Studies

Skills

• Spanish
• Strategy
• Marketing Strategy
• Customer Insight
• Experience Design
• Direct Selling
• Marketing
• Prototyping
• Business Strategy
• Design Planning
• Trend Identification
• Process Design
• Multi- Level Marketing
• Human Centered Design
• Innovative Design
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Design Thinking
• Designs
• Emerging Markets
• Portuguese
• Brand Development
• Business Development
• User Experience
• Innovation Development
• Strategy Development
• Emerging Trends
• Strategic Planning
• Ethnography
• Service Design
• Lean Startup
• Social Innovation
• Design Research
• New Business Development
• Consulting
• Culture Change
• Innovation Management
• Storytelling
• Integrated Marketing
• Prototype
• Market Research