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We all know what joy feels like, but what does it mean to design for it? In Episode 34 of the Alternative Design Podcast, we sit down with Ron Swidler, CEO of The Gettys Group, to uncover how joy can transform from a simple emotion into a powerful design objective in hospitality spaces. We explore the elements that create sensory delight and surprise, such as color, play, and technology, and discuss how even the most sophisticated environments can invite smiles, spark wonder, and elevate everyday experiences.

Inspired by Ingrid Fetell Lee’s book "Joyful" and the immersive HD Expo booth it brought to life, Ron shares his insights on balancing elegance with whimsy, personalization with spontaneity, and strategy with pure human delight. Whether you're designing a five-star resort or a budget-friendly boutique, this episode will remind you that joy isn't just a vibe—it's a tool.

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In a world that's increasingly anxious, overstimulated, and surprisingly less colorful, the need for calming and supportive space design has never been greater. Episode 33 of the Alternative Design Podcast examines the essential role of trauma-informed design in public spaces. Host Kaelynn Reid sits down with Rebecca Fairman, Chief Design Officer at Flip4Good, to explore how small, intentional design choices—such as texture, layout, and color—can help regulate the nervous system and minimize trauma triggers. Flip4Good’s work in transitional housing offers a powerful case study: by bringing warmth, safety, and personalization into spaces where people are rebuilding their lives, they’re proving that good design is a public health intervention, not a luxury. When the design of a space has the power to calm, support, and restore us, it shouldn't be the exception—it should be the standard.

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What if the key to unlocking employee engagement wasn’t stricter policies or trendier perks—but better storytelling? In this episode of Alternative Design, we’re joined by Alvin Oei, Senior Manager of Retail Creative at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, to explore how the magic of retail design can be a blueprint for reimagining the workplace. From immersive store environments to experience-driven brand spaces, Alvin shares how treating employees like valued guests—rather than just workers—can lead to more meaningful connections, inspired creativity, and better business outcomes.

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Healthcare isn’t just something that happens in hospitals—it’s happening in our homes, whether we realize it or not. But what if home wasn’t just a backdrop for health, but an active partner in healing?

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Boozary—Founding Executive Director of University Health Network’s Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine—discusses the Dunn House project, a first-of-its-kind initiative where a hospital campus is prescribing permanent housing as part of patient care. Because without a stable home, how can someone truly get better?

 Meanwhile, Dr. Upali Nanda, EVP and Global Sector Director of Innovation at HKS, shares how her team is using VR to immerse designers in the lived experiences of real patients, revealing the unseen barriers to health inside the home.

Together, we’ll explore how housing, healthcare, and design are colliding in ways that could reshape the built environment—and why it’s time for designers across all disciplines to start thinking about home in a whole new way.

HKS Home as Health Hub Idea Lab

Dunn House Social Medicine Project

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In Episode 30 of the Alternative Design podcast, we discuss the evolving role of amenity spaces in workplace, education, and healthcare. Recorded live from Fulton Market Design Days in Chicago and the Healthcare Design Conference in Indianapolis, the episode features voices from diverse backgrounds, including designers, architects, and end users. The episode highlights the importance of creating functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing environments that support collaboration, wellness, and community engagement. Guests emphasize the holistic needs of people, whether through hospitality-inspired offices, respite spaces in schools, or personalized spaces in hospitals, underlining how thoughtful design can transform lives.

Read the blog, Designing Amenity Spaces that Fuel Human Potential.

Watch the panel, Alternative Conversations: Crafting Destinations by Design with Lifestyle Amenities. 

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In this episode, we explore the critical role of amenity spaces in shaping modern workplace environments, especially in the post-pandemic era. Join our expert panelists—Nick from Stanford, Lily Diego from Gensler, and Brian Berthold from Cushman Wakefield—as they delve into how thoughtfully designed amenities foster human connection, engagement, and wellbeing. Discover the evolving dynamics of hybrid work models, the significance of flexible and modular designs, and the integration of hospitality elements and advanced technologies like AI. Learn about creating vibrant, experiential zones that support diverse working styles and employee satisfaction, highlighted by case studies from Michigan Central District and other innovative workplaces. Whether focusing on collaboration or personal comfort, this episode reveals strategic insights for crafting purpose-driven environments that balance professional and lifestyle needs.

Read the blog, How Lifestyle Amenities Can Deliver the Future of Workplace.

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Serious Play: Gaming for Global Good goes into the future of game-based learning and education, exploring the potential of games to drive community engagement and global change. Manuela Colombo, Executive Director at Livelab, discusses using games to empower communities to discover their collective power and find solutions for real-world challenges. The episode highlights the impact of game-based learning and the unique approach of the X Journey game. It explores the intersection of gamification, education, student activism, and community engagement, providing a perspective on the future of learning environments and the importance of collaborative gaming in solving regional challenges and fostering intergenerational learning communities. The episode also addresses the challenges in implementing innovative approaches in education, emphasizing how games can be a powerful tool for driving positive change on a global scale.

Read the blog, Game-Changers – Spaces for Gamified Problem Solving.

Livelab website
For donations
More about the NGO
More about Live Lab games> https://www.instagram.com/jornadax/

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Kimball International proudly hosted Alternative Conversations: Attracting the New Higher Ed Learner, drawing together a panel of designers and industry leaders to discuss the future of academia. Against the backdrop of an ever-evolving educational landscape, the discussion illuminated key insights shaping the direction of higher education. Listen to this episode for the highlights of the conversation that promise to inform and inspire designers and educational leaders alike.

Read the blog, Four Insights Shaping the Landscape of Higher Education.
Watch the panel recording, Alternative Conversations: Attracting the New Higher Ed Learner. 

Click on the following link to claim your CEU credits (AIA/HSW, IDCEC/HSW):
https://www.ceuevents.com/online-audio-courses/kimball_international/attracting_the_new_higher_ed

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Get ready for the launch of Alternative Design, a groundbreaking multimedia platform that empowers designers to become catalysts for positive change. Through thought-provoking podcasts, blog articles, immersive videos, and conversations, Alternative Design showcases the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in design, sustainability, technology, and social responsibility. We feature interviews with industry leaders, visionaries, and change-makers who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible and shaping the future of design. Alternative Design is your go-to destination for staying ahead of the curve and making a positive difference. Join us as we launch Alternative Design, your gateway to a world of possibilities in design and beyond.

Check out the Alternative Design blog.

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Join us as we explore the landscape of lifelong learning and the evolution of educational spaces. Heather McGowan, future-of-work strategist, keynote speaker, thought leader, researcher, and author, leads us through a paradigm shift away from a linear model of learning and career paths toward a lifestyle characterized by perpetual growth and adaptability. This “Live. Work. Learn.” lifestyle will feature learning that is lifelong and personalized to the student and will change the way both classrooms and public spaces are designed.

Read the blog, From Classrooms to Lifelong Journeys.

Heather's Website:  https://heathermcgowan.com/ 

Heather's YouTube Channel of Talk Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@heatheremcgowan/videos