The gap between design theory and practice can be bridged by getting back to the principle of making it accessible. What is design? There are a lot of definitions of what design is and is not from the utterly perplexing to the complicated and technical. It doesn’t have to be that way. Design is something […]
Simplifying Design Read More »
We can learn much about change from our trips to the beach and how things relate to one another. Beach-going is a summer pleasure than those of us fortunate to live close to the water can enjoy as an escape and, when it’s hot, sometimes a necessity. While it might odd at first, our lazy
Complexity At The Beach Read More »
Identity shapes design of products and services so why ignore it when we are designing for humans lives? Who we are, who we think we are, or who we see ourselves to be all shapes how we act. Our identity is among the most powerful forces that influence our behaviour. Research on change has shown
Design For How We See Ourselves Read More »
Our designs put too much focus on our intentions and desires and to the neglect our realities and tendencies. Design is a positive field of practice. At it’s core, design is about making things and transforming our futures. Designers tend to be optimistic and energetic individuals, which is what allows them to inspire new thinking
Design for Human Living Read More »
Change is often less about what we intend to change and our willingness to take action. If innovation requires us to change something understanding how change happens is important to doing innovation well. Much of the literature on behaviour change emphasizes things like raising awareness, providing information, and shifting people’s intentions. What is often missing
Will, Intentions and Change Read More »
Design strategy connects our intent to actions and this post looks at how to develop one and use it to shape change in your organization.
Reducing Drama Through Design Strategy Read More »
Innovation is emotional work and it’s time to connect our feelings and thoughts to fuel our change efforts and actions. I recently read an interview between Yancey Strickler and Clare Farrell, co-founder of The Extinction Rebellion (XR) movement that attracted my attention. The interview was part of Strickler’s Ideaspace podcast and titled ‘from hope to
Emotional Honesty in Designing Change Read More »
Our understanding of situations are co-constructed and that means our future is, too. Shaping our future — at least one we want — requires not only thinking about our present situation, but our past, too. This means listening to the stories we tell ourselves and others — and paying attention to the ones we’ve missed
Pasts, Presents, and Futures Read More »
‘New beginnings’ is a phrase that only works when both words are true and the systems around them support their realization. Change is easy to call for and promise, yet far more difficult to deliver. Among the greatest myths of behaviour change are the role individuals play in shaping their actions and the related outcomes.
System Entanglements and Change Read More »
The means to developing the ability to create useful, valued products and service comes from learning through doing. What is the best way to learn design? Design something. It’s a bit trite to say this, but it’s true. Someone can be a designer having never taken a design course or completed a degree or they
Developing Creative Confidence With Practice Read More »
