As millions of people shift their work patterns back to offices and shops from their homes the chance for renewal is high. The risks of creating path dependencies that will cause harm is also high. The design choices we make now will determine what comes next. The anxiousness of heading back to the office is […]
Design and the Cautionary Tales of Path Dependence Read More »
People remember the first, not always the best. This was sage wisdom that my doctoral advisor shared when speaking about not waiting to share your ideas. This advice reflects much of what we know about human psychology — for good and otherwise. What are your earliest fears from the COVID-19 pandemic? Did you spend a
First Mover Effects Read More »
Only by understanding our past can we properly design for a future that’s different from it. When we think about the past there’s a tendency toward thinking about things that are often unpleasant, even old-fashioned. Future-thinking is exciting, filled with possibility, and is characterized more by optimism, technology, and ‘shiny things’ at its most cartoonish.
Design For Humans’ History Read More »
Subscription models are changing the way we think about products, services, and the creativity and tools that shape them. Two articles that might seem unrelated appeared in my feed one morning: one on creativity and the other on subscription-based business models. Writing for Vox, Terry Nguyen looks at how the business and arts sectors have
The Creativity Subscription Read More »
Systems change is so difficult because is the link between the past, present and future is tight and often invisible. The term “system(s) change” is often used without a clear sense of what it means. What is the system that needs to be changed and how is that system defined? These are two important questions
The Memory of Systems Read More »
Path dependency is a concept in complexity science that refers to the way in which the past patterns influence current and future actions. Mindful attention to identifying these patterns and use of design thinking can help ensure that the past is not the present, unless we want it to be.
Designing For Path Dependency: The Case of Mental Health Read More »
Changing dualisms and either/or thinking into real strategic plans can allow us to make big differences and change with small actions.
The Power of Subtle Change Read More »
An attempt to innovate – do something new to produce value — is always fraught with risk and a high likelihood that things won’t go as planned, which can leave people jaded toward future efforts. Whether that metaphor of jade is one of a rock (static) or a plant (growth) makes all the difference. Innovation is hot.
Jaded: Whether You Are a Plant or a Stone Makes All the Difference Read More »
Is what you do, where you work, or how you organize, beautiful? Among the many words used to describe our work lives the most neglected and maybe necessary might be described that one word: it’s time to take it seriously. For those working in design one of the biggest challenges is getting people to understand that
Britain’s vote to leave the European Union is a nod to the future and the past and both perspectives illustrate how citizens everywhere are struggling with how to best make their world – and to what extent that’s possible. These are design choices with systems implications that will be felt far beyond those who are
(Re) Making our World Read More »
