Nando Costa

Using AI to build the next generation of brands

In Episode #72, Ross is joined by Nando Costa, a seasoned Brazilian-American designer with experience in digital products, branding, and animation production at Microsoft and Google.

At Microsoft, Nando was part of the team that shipped the HoloLens Developer Edition and Windows Mixed Reality. He was at the forefront of a collective effort to evolve the design language for Microsoft 365 experiences across all platforms. And, after a brief stint at Google Design, Nando returned to Microsoft to work on the Microsoft Mesh team, exploring the intersection of traditional UX, immersive experiences, and generative AI.

Ross and Nando discuss how AI will change brand strategy and how we build brands. Nando also shares how he thinks AI will help shape virtual reality, and what designers can do to ensure they don’t get left behind.

More about Nando Costa

Nando Costa is a seasoned Brazilian-American designer with 25 years of experience in digital products, branding, and animation production. He began his journey in Rio de Janeiro, where he developed a passion for the arts and explored various creative mediums. 

As he transitioned into Graphic Design and eventually moved to the United States, he delved further into web design and illustration, eventually discovering motion graphics, which became his core focus for many years.

Realising the importance of understanding his clients' brand ethos, business challenges, and customer needs, lead him to deeper and more meaningful engagements. He dedicated years of his career to telling stories through this newly acquired lens.

Eventually, Nando found himself at Microsoft, where he worked on the HoloLens operating system. There, he was part of the team that shipped the HoloLens Developer Edition and Windows Mixed Reality, laying the foundation for the next generation of HoloLens.

As he progressed in his career at Microsoft, Nando transitioned to a different division, where he focused on enhancing the productivity of Office apps. He envisioned how productivity experiences could be translated to the realm of Mixed Reality, leading a team dedicated to the design of interfaces that seamlessly unify the core experiences across the Office suite. Additionally, he spearheaded a new initiative in product storytelling, resulting in the creation of 30 UX films that transformed the public perception of Microsoft.

As a result of Nando's efforts, he found himself at the forefront of the collective effort to evolve the design language for Microsoft 365 experiences across all platforms and endpoints, including the Microsoft emoji system as well as the illustration system and app brand expression touch points.

He also contributed to several initiatives to empower customers to better express themselves within the ecosystem of experiences, including more comprehensive theming and personalization options, filters, and lenses for video calls and recordings.

After a brief stint at Google Design, Nando returned to Microsoft where he now works on the Microsoft Mesh team where he explores the intersection of traditional UX, immersive experiences, and generative AI.
Find Nando here: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Website