Thomas Sola

Product Design, Strategy & Leadership

I've been designing AI-driven products since 2019, years before generative AI became a design problem. I turn strategic intent into system structure at enterprise scale, working in regulated, high-stakes environments where structured, predictable output beats open-ended chat. The result is products people actually trust enough to act on. Most recently, defining AI integration architecture at Veeva Systems.

Whether I'm leading platform teams or in the code alongside engineers, raising the bar on how systems get built, I love staying close to where the work comes to life.

Philosophy

Design is a Conversation

I approach design like a conversation, not an interrogation. Curiosity over assumption. That's true whether I'm talking to a user, a teammate, or a stakeholder. Active listening is how a design practice scales past one person's point of view into a product that reflects the goals of the company while effortlessly adapting to user needs.

Independent Projects

First Light

Look up. What you're seeing isn't the night sky. It's the afterglow of the Big Bang, captured by three of the most important space missions ever launched.

First Light turns real cosmic microwave background data from COBE, WMAP, and Planck into an immersive sky you can explore by simply moving your phone. Pan across the oldest light in the universe. Switch between satellites. Dial through frequency bands and watch the universe shift.

This is real data. Real science. And it fits in your pocket.

Testimonials

It's Been Said...

"I had the pleasure of working closely with Thomas for three years at Tact.ai, during which his leadership in user experience design proved invaluable. In our fast-paced startup environment, Thomas demonstrated a strong commitment to making our products user-friendly, with a laser focus on accessibility and usability. His ability to foster collaboration among diverse teams ensured a shared vision. Thomas's humility and open-minded approach inspired a culture of innovation, while his exceptional leadership skills drove the development and expansion of our design system."

— Charles Klein, Product Design Strategy & Leadership

"Thomas is the kind of leader who loves collaborating and spreading the passion he has for design and care for the user. His infectious approach kept the whole engineering org I was part of rooted in this user centric mindset. A sharp focus on user experience, experimentation and listening to users were Thomas's strengths, as well as his ability to guide and mentor people beyond his design team on this way of thinking."

— Matt Toohey, Chief Software Architect at Tact.ai

"Thomas is easily one of the best managers I've worked with. When I joined Thomas' team, I was at a stage in my career where I needed the space to work independently and create something, but also needed someone who could back our ideas. Thomas gave our team space and autonomy, while also pushing our ideas through to senior management, making sure we had the tools and resources required, without question. In addition, he was a great people manager, very understanding of a good work-life balance. I'd be happy to work with Thomas again, anytime!"

— Amit Manikoth, Sr.Technical Writer