Design is Everywhere

How can designers anticipate the needs of social workers and how can social workers use design thinking in their own work? On this week’s episode, we explore the intersection of social work and design. Sam is joined by Chōkdee Rutirasiri, VP of Experience Strategy and Research at Mad*Pow and Adjunct Professor of Design Thinking at Boston College. He chats about how design can be a tool to change the world through empathy and compassion. Later on in the show, they are joined by Rachael Dietkus, Founder of Social Workers Who Design, a cause-driven, trauma-responsive design consultancy. Together, they talk about what social work is and some common misconceptions about social work.

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How did Liz Powers and her team connect artists who are homeless or disabled with corporate buyers? On this week’s episode, we are learning about an organization that is designing a new marketplace for artists. Sam is joined by Liz Powers, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at ArtLifting where artists impacted by homelessness and disabilities are given a platform to share their talents. Later on in the show, they are joined by Bryan Parker, Director of National Real Estate's Workplace Strategy, Performance and Optimization at PwC, a corporate client of ArtLifting. At PwC, the ArtLifting Curated Collection showcases a diversity of artwork and embodies PwC’s mission of solving important problems and building trust in society. Together, they talk about how corporations can be involved in this work and the impact of art in the workspace. 

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What components make up good hospitality? On this week’s episode, we are looking at the decisions seen and unseen that make a hospitality experience captivating, seamless, and truly elevate travel. Sam is joined by Denise Korn, the Founder and Creative Director of Yellow&, a dynamic creative consultancy that brings together the power of a multi-disciplinary mindset and bold talent with a fresh perspective. Denise talks about the design decisions behind thoughtful hospitality and immersing the local culture to the design. Later on in the show, they are joined by Bashar Wali, Chief Executive Officer at Practice Hospitality and the Founder of This Assembly. Bashar is a hospitality evangelist, hotel fanatic, deal maker, risk taker, and passionate leader. Together, they talk about the importance of listening to guests, what most hotels get right, what most hotels get wrong, and putting the consumer front and center.

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How can augmented reality shape the way humans interact? On this week’s episode, we talk about the future of augmented and mixed reality and the potential to change the way we interact with one another. Sam is joined by Gustavo Fontana, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Fresco Design, a forward-thinking product design studio. He shares how AR has shaped the Fresco Design process and the potential of this technology. Later on in the show, they are joined by Avraham Raskin, an Augmented Reality Designer and Founder and CEO of AR by A.R., which helps startups and individuals build augmented reality experiences into new or existing products. Together, they talk about AR in everyday experiences. 

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What is the role of design thinking to health and risk communication, especially when audiences may be conflicted or disagree on ideological world views?Mad*Pow's Chief Design Strategy Officer, Jen Briselli, published a two part series titled Designing Science Communication that helps answer the question about the role of design in science communication. Sam is joined by Jen Briselli as guest co-host. Jen chats about design’s power for more effective science communication. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Professor of Public Health, Director of the Office of Public Health Practice, and Director of the Global Health Concentration at the Yale School of Public Health. Together, they talk about the U.S. response to the pandemic and the value of design thinking for science communication. 

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What is the designer’s role in the climate crisis? At Climate Designers, Sarah Harrison and her team use their creative skills for climate action and ask the question, “What if every designer were a climate designer?” In this week’s episode, we chat about how designers of all kinds can take climate action. Sam is joined by Sarah Harrison, Co-Founder of Climate Designers and The Determined. Sarah shares how she came to found Climate Designers with Marc O’Brien and the role of design in creating real climate action. Later on in the show, they are joined by Bobby Gill, Director of Development and Communications at Savory Institute, which uses holistic management to facilitate the large-scale regeneration of the world’s grasslands and the livelihoods of their inhabitants. Together, they talk about why it is important to regenerate the world’s grasslands and how the Savory Institute uses Holistic Management. 

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How can architecture reflect the needs of a community? In this week’s episode, we chat about the social impact of architecture that creates social awareness in the built environment. Sam is joined by David Silverman, Principal at Silverman Trykowski Associates, an imaginative architecture and design studio that designs for wellbeing. David shares examples of this work and the importance of including the community in the conversation. Later on in the show, they are joined by Pascale Sablan, Founder & Executive Director of Beyond the Built Environment, activist, mentor, and 2021 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Recipient, an award that distinguishes an architect or architectural organization that embodies social responsibility and actively addresses a relevant issue, such as affordable housing, inclusiveness, or universal access. Together, they talk about what social impact architecture is, what it looks like, and how it can impact a community.

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This episode originally aired on April 15, 2021.

How do designers craft robots to make life easier and better for humans? In this episode, Sam is joined by Betsy Goodrich, the Vice President of Design and Co-founder at Manta to chat about the design of complex robots that help people. Betsy shares how she founded Manta, her product design process, and how designers test out scenarios for robot design. Later on in the show, they are joined by Rick Hoobler, the Senior Director of Design at iRobot. Rick shares his background and what led him to robot design. Together, they discuss their various robot design projects, the way robots can help make cleaning better and easier, and they each share their favorite robots portrayed in the media.

What steps can help achieve more work-life fulfillment? In this week’s episode, we learn about cultivating happiness at work. According to statistics by Career Vision, ​​across America, only 45 percent of workers say they are either satisfied or extremely satisfied with their jobs. Sam is joined by Ginger Dhaliwal, Co-Founder at Upflex, a coworking space that provides instant workspace access anywhere and anytime, allowing teams to work better, happier, and more conveniently. Ginger shares more about founding Upflex and how to create moments of belonging in work culture. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Tracy Brower, the author of “The Secrets to Happiness at Work"” and “Bring Work to Life” where she empowers people to create and choose the conditions for happiness, wellbeing, fulfillment and success. Together, they discuss common misconceptions about happiness at work and the components that influence work-life fulfillment.

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What role should work play in one’s identity? In this week’s episode, we learn about designing a holistic approach towards work and life. In Jai Chakrabarti’s article for Fast Company, “Embracing the whole you: You are more than your job,” Jai talks about the experience of quitting his role as a technologist to pursue his MFA in Creative Writing. He writes, “There is no linear life, at least I haven’t found one I’d wish to live. Rather there are the meandering paths, all the pursuits of beauty that reward us with their own vistas of the world underneath.” Sam is joined by Jai Chakrabarti to learn more about the impetus behind his Fast Company article and the balance of work and life. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Melissa Steach, an award-winning artist and bestselling author who became an industrial-organizational psychologist in order to make work well. As part of MillerKnoll's Workplace Performance Network, Melissa consults business leaders on how to leverage macro-ergonomics and workplace well-being to positively impact team dynamics and business strategy. Together, they discuss the importance of trust, authentic conversations, and work that helps satisfy the spirit. 

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Designing for Work and Life that Satisfies your Spirit