Alan Geiss
Creating Moments People Feel & Remember
Experience Strategy | Experiential Marketing | Brand Experience
Hi, I’m Alan.
Brands ask for people’s attention. The best ones make that time worthwhile. I help bridge the gap between the feeling they want to create and what people actually remember.
How I Think Through Experiences
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People might not remember every detail, but they do remember how an experience made them feel. My goal is to shape those emotions, making sure we always start by thinking about the people involved.
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The most useful insights often come from comparing what an experience is supposed to create with what people actually feel, do, or remember.
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Some ideas begin awkwardly, and some experiences have awkward moments hidden within them. I use the term “Ugly Baby” to spot what needs attention, then work to turn it into something clearer, more meaningful, and valuable for others.
“Work is theatre & every business a stage.”
-Pine & Gilmore, The Experience Economy
Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull calls early ideas "Ugly Babies" because they often start awkwardly. I use this concept to remind myself that promising ideas need time and support. I would add that ugly babies can also appear in developed experiences. They show up as misalignments or off-brand cues that disrupt the flow. My job is to help shape these ideas through open discussion, adapt them to the audience, and refine them until they are clear, meaningful, and lead to time well spent.
My Guiding Principle
Give Rough Ideas Care
What’s Next
A preview of upcoming projects.
Exploring Japan’s Experience Economy
Volume 1 Coming Soon
Vibing with Your Career
Guest talk staged like a DJ set
The Billboard
A student-first newsletter worth opening
Community Pop-ups
Creating a third place
What if building community didn’t depend on having a perfect schedule? We hosted seasonal drop-in pop-ups with little surprises and used a Celebration Collage to build momentum. Over time, the space turned into a daily gathering spot.
Experience Archive
The receipts worth keeping
A collection of experiences that show what everyone can learn from Japan.
Past Experiences
What if career advice felt like a night out instead of a lecture? We staged a guest talk as a DJ set, then kept the momentum going with a live Q&A and applications for 1-1 mentoring, drawing a record number of attendees.
How do you make a room of strangers feel comfortable fast? We designed participation mechanics that helped newcomers mix, move, and stay.
What if a program newsletter acted like a billboard instead of a bulletin? We led with one student’s story each month and the format earned consistent opens and clicks across 300+ readers.
What if sustainability didn’t require willpower? We designed the mixer so the default choices were green, then used a quick pledge wall and stickers to spark conversation and action.
A collection of overlooked details, clever defaults, and bold moves that turn ordinary touchpoints into stories people repeat.
Semester Kickoff: Connection by Design
Four Stations That Made Belonging Easy
Sustainability Week Social
Making “Going Green” Easy
