How do you take your coffee?
Mostly decaf—unless it’s one of those marathon workdays. In the summer, it’s a light roasted cold brew, no sugar. In the winter, I go for black coffee with a hint of cinnamon and milk… or cardamom if I’m feeling fancy. I also have a soft spot for a cafecito Cubano or a cortadito when I’m feeling nostalgic, because of my Cuban side and growing up in Miami.
Bio
Juliette is currently a Lead Industrial Designer at Verizon in New York City, where she focuses on designing consumer electronics, with a particular emphasis on wearables and emerging technologies. Her professional background spans a wide range of industries and product categories—including toys, healthcare devices, sports equipment, kitchen tools, UX/UI systems, sustainable packaging, transportation interiors, and smart home appliances.
Before joining Verizon, Juliette was part of the team at IDEO, where she worked on future-forward initiatives and complex systems for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to early-stage startups. It was there that she deepened her expertise in speculative design and systems thinking. Prior to that, she contributed to OXO’s renowned product line, developing kitchen gadgets grounded in ergonomic principles and everyday usability.
Throughout her career, Juliette has collaborated with a diverse group of designers, engineers, and thinkers—crediting peers, mentors, and collaborators for helping shape her approach to design. She thrives in cross-functional environments and strongly believes that true innovation emerges at the intersection of disciplines. Her experience includes leading creative workshops, delivering keynotes, and speaking on topics such as storytelling, generative AI, and the future of design processes.
Juliette practices a human-centered design philosophy that integrates inclusivity from the outset—not as a retroactive consideration. She is passionate about the craft of design: how products are made, how they feel, and how they impact the people who use them. Whether addressing broad user needs or tackling intricate system-level challenges, her goal is always to create tools and experiences that are thoughtful, intuitive, and built to endure.
What's your creative process?
My process always starts with understanding the problem at hand. Who’s it for? What are the constraints? What’s the broader context? From there, I move into observation—watching what people are already doing, where the friction lies, and how behavior aligns (or doesn’t) with what they say.
I map what already exists, identify gaps, and gather inspiration—from visuals and field research to materials exploration, moodboards, and unexpected references. I sketch quickly, but move fast into physical models—paper, foam, cardboard—to test ergonomics and interaction early. I keep forms intentionally ambiguous at that stage to focus on feedback around function and feel, rather than aesthetics.
Once the direction is clear, I move into CAD and refine the details—prototyping across percentiles, testing for edge cases, and working closely with engineers and vendors. Every project is different, but the through-line is curiosity, pattern recognition, and staying grounded in real behavior. What people say and what they do are often different—and that gap is something I pay close attention to. It’s one of our core superpowers as designers.
What's your favorite project you worked on and why?
One of my favorite projects is a patented underwater communication device I’ve been developing over the past few years. It was inspired by my grandfather and the time I spent growing up in the Florida Keys—snorkeling, fishing, and lobstering with family.
I realized there’s still no intuitive way to communicate underwater. Most diving risks don’t stem from equipment failure, but from complications that could be prevented with better, real-time communication. Through research and conversations with master divers, instructors, and oceanographers, I gained insights that led me to design a light-based signaling device for recreational divers and snorkelers—simple, intuitive, and effective.
This project is deeply personal, but also grounded in real-world problem-solving. It challenged me to rethink underwater interaction, material constraints, and embedded tech—without a blueprint. More than anything, it reminded me how powerful design can be when it comes from a place of curiosity and care.
Juliette's sample creations
Scuba diving mask (Learn more)
OXO Knife sharpener (Learn more)
OXO batter bowl (Learn more)
We invite you to explore Juliette LaRoche’s portfolio at juliettelaroche.design to experience a design philosophy grounded in empathy, clarity, and purpose. Juliette’s approach is deeply human-centered—rooted in observation, real-world behavior, and inclusive thinking from the very start. She has a rare ability to translate complex systems into simple, intuitive solutions that feel effortless to use. Her process emphasizes sustainability, thoughtful material choices, and long-lasting impact, always aiming to design with care—for people, for context, and for the planet. With every project, Juliette brings a quiet rigor and a deep sense of responsibility to the role design plays in people’s lives.