Miranda Swaney: The Mind Behind the Experience

Miranda swaney
Sr. Manager, Strategy & Insights, WD Partners, New York / Age: 29
Favorite City to Visit: Mexico City or Amsterdam

WHY MIRANDA?

Miranda brings A strategic spark to a variety of engaging and compelling retail experiences. As part of the creative studio at WD Partners, she focuses on experience strategy, digging into consumer behavior, cultural signals and brand positioning to uncover ideas that translate into meaningful retail environments. Her work spans experience positioning, shopper mindset development and journey mapping, helping brands build stronger connections with customers across both physical and digital touchpoints.

Miranda has collaborated with an impressive roster of retailers, including Nike, Walmart and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, developing strategies that shape new store concepts and evolving brand environments. Known for her curiosity and analytical mindset, she helps teams uncover overlooked opportunities, identifying cultural shifts and consumer insights that push retail thinking forward.

Miranda has worked with brands and retailers like Walmart, Nike and more. PHOTO: WALMART HEALTH

Within the studio, Miranda is also a valued mentor and thought leader. She supports interns through the firm’s mentorship program and regularly contributes to internal discussions and research that advance the team’s design thinking. Outside the office, she channels the same empathy into volunteering with local animal shelters, reflecting a belief that care and connection – whether in retail or community – are what truly create meaningful experiences.

Describe some of your outside-of-work initiatives and how they’ve had an influence on your career.

Outside of work, I love exploring creativity, whether that be attending open events or hosting them myself, and volunteering with animal organizations. These activities give my brain a bit of a break while reinforcing why I care so deeply about experiences in the first place. They keep my attention to detail sharp while grounding me in connection, creativity and empathy.

What role do you see physical stores playing in the future?

Humanity will become the defining role of physical retail. People are fatigued by the constancy of digital life but still depend on it, creating a tension that physical spaces can resolve. The future of retail will be about balancing digital enablement with deeply human, analog connection. I also believe the lines between what a space ‘is’ will continue to blur, with stores functioning as cultural spaces, community hubs, service environments and brand stages all at once.

What experience or specific interest has shaped you as a designer?

Travel has been hugely influential, but it’s really rooted in a deeper curiosity about people and environments. I’ve always had a desire to observe closely and understand why spaces work the way they do. That instinct to dig deeper continues to shape how I approach experience design.

What would be your advice for another young designer or for your younger self?

Stay curious and dig deeper. The best designers study people, culture and behavior just as much as they study design itself. I would also encourage young thinkers to be unafraid – we are often far more capable than we think.

My favorite thing to do when I leave the office is…

…taking the long way home, exploring new neighborhoods and curling up on the couch to cuddle [my cat] Auggie.

The best part of my day is…

…the early morning stillness when I can collect my thoughts and intentions before the day begins.

I find (design) inspiration in…

…people, all walks of life, and noticing what makes them light up.