Matias Vaara

Design, Meet AI

I help early stage ventures design what’s next — and guide design teams evolving with AI.

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Clients backed by

Sora Schools

I help early-stage ventures design impactful AI-enabled experiences—and empower design teams to thrive in an AI-first world.

Craft meets clarity.

See how I work

How I can help

01

Product Roadmap

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Move slow to go fast.

Sometimes it pays to think a few steps ahead. We work with early-stage teams to lay out a clear and strategic roadmap for their launches — including how emerging technologies like AI might play a role.

A solid roadmap is grounded on a few insights: what are the “jobs” our customer is trying to do, where our business potential lies, what’s feasible to implement — and where AI could meaningfully enhance the experience or operations.

Based on an understanding of these elements, we’ll work together in a nimble project to define an actionable roadmap to chart your path forward — with or without AI as part of the solution.

Typical timeframe: 3-4 weeks   

02

Experience Concept

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In this project, we’ll craft an exciting vision for the future experience of your product.

In the end, you’ll have a concept presentation, interactive prototype, and roadmap that shows the future of your digital product —  enhanced with AI where it adds value.

The future vision will be grounded in a deep understanding of your business strategy, user needs, and technical feasibility — including AI might play a  role.

After the project, you’ll have a shared and concrete big-picture view of your product’s future experience.

With the prototype and roadmap in hand, your team can move forward confidently and start developing smaller, validated increments — including any AI-powered elements where they make sense.

Typical timeframe: 4-6 weeks

03

Brand Design

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Your brand is your face to the world.

For early stage companies, crafting a world-class brand is a multiplier for your science and technology.

In this project, we’ll craft a fresh brand identity for your company.

In the end, you’ll have a brand blueprint that will reflect your internal aspirations and connect with your market.

Your new brand will be based on a deep understanding of your business goals, mission and vision. We will also dive into your customers world and understand their world and how they currently see you.

Typical timeframe: 4-6 weeks

04

AI Training

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In addition to partnering with early-stage teams on design, I help design teams understand and apply AI in their day-to-day work.

My Designer 2.0 training program has helped over 800 designers boost their creativity, improve efficiency with AI tools — and learn how to design AI-enabled experiences that are ethical, intuitive, and user-centered.

Teams at Futurice, KONE, and Siili have taken the training, and I’ve also taught as a visiting lecturer at Aalto University and the LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts, exploring how AI is reshaping the role of design in product development.

Typical timeframe: 0,5 - 2 days   

Latest thinking

From Frustration to Flow
The Rise of the Agentic Customer Journey
Beyond Generic Results with Generative AI in Design