The tension between doing good research and delivering on tight timelines is something I've experienced throughout my career in design and innovation. This conversation with Sam Zucker unpacks powerful approaches to making research more sustainable and equitable while building systems that support continuous learning and engagement.

What particularly struck me was Sam's practical framework for embedding research into organizational workflows. Her approach transforms research from a periodic, resource-intensive effort into an ongoing capability that shapes decision-making and product development. This represents a crucial evolution in how we think about evidence-based design.

Questions This Episode Helps You Answer

• How can we build sustainable research systems that work within real-world constraints?

• What makes equity-based research different from traditional approaches?

• When should we adapt research methods for regulated environments?

• How might we use prototypes to get better research insights?

• Why do continuous research systems often succeed where one-off studies fail?

I invited Sam to share her expertise because she brings a unique perspective on making research work in complex, regulated environments while maintaining a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. Her experience spans from reimagining college financial aid experiences to transforming employer benefits, always with a focus on serving people who are often overlooked in traditional research.

Episode Highlights

[01:40] Sam describes her journey from an interdisciplinary background at Carnegie Mellon studying conceptual art, communication design, and sociolinguistics to founding Reroute Research, illustrating how diverse educational foundations can lead to innovative research approaches.

[03:00] Shares insights from working on College Abacus, a groundbreaking tool that helped students understand true college costs beyond sticker prices, demonstrating how design research can tackle complex financial decisions.

[05:30] Articulates her core focus: taking complex decisions (like college choice or insurance selection) and making them more understandable and actionable for users, revealing how design research can simplify without oversimplifying.

[08:30] Introduces the innovative "researcher in residence" model where she embeds within companies for 3–4 months, showing how deeper integration leads to better knowledge transfer and organizational impact.

[12:00] Explains her commitment to equity-based design and how it shapes recruiting practices, emphasizing the importance of reaching participants who are typically underrepresented.

[15:30] Details practical strategies for inclusive recruitment, including flexible scheduling, multiple contact attempts, and accommodating cancellations — demonstrating how research processes themselves need to be designed for equity.

[18:30] Shares approach to reciprocity in research, explaining how she ensures participants benefit from the process through information sharing and resource connections.

[22:00] Describes how to build sustainable research systems that organizations can maintain long-term, emphasizing the importance of integrating with existing tools and workflows.

[25:30] Provides a success story of Better Future Forward implementing a continuous research system, showing how research can become embedded in organizational culture.

[31:30] Explains her approach to using low-fidelity prototypes early in research to get more accurate insights about what people actually want versus what they say they want.

[37:30] Shares expertise on conducting research in highly regulated environments, emphasizing the importance of reading and understanding regulations firsthand rather than relying on others' interpretations.

[41:30] Offers valuable advice for researchers working in regulated environments: build relationships with supportive stakeholders who can help drive innovation forward while navigating constraints.

[45:00] Concludes with an important insight about the critical role of language in UX, noting how sometimes the most impactful research finding can be identifying the right word choice for users.

Questions to Help You Go Deeper

Learning

What surprised you about Sam's approach to continuous research systems and why?

How does her equity-based framework challenge or enhance your current research practice?

Which aspects of the researcher-in-residence model seem most valuable for your context?

Leading

How might you help your team understand and apply continuous research approaches?

Where in your organization would more equitable research practices create the most value?

What would success look like if you implemented ongoing research systems with your team?

Applying

What's one small experiment you could run next week with prototype-based research?

Which current challenge could you address using Sam's approach to participant recruiting?

How could you adapt the continuous research system to work in your specific context?

Practicing

How will you build more equitable research practices into your regular work?

What support or resources do you need to implement continuous research systems?

Resources I Recommend

Monteiro, Mike. Ruined by Design: How Designers Destroyed the World, and What We Can Do to Fix It. MULE BOOKS, 2024. 

>>> Sam specifically mentioned finding this essential reading and I agree. This bold update of Monteiro's classic work challenges us to face the ethical implications of our design choices head-on. The 2024 edition feels especially relevant for research practitioners wrestling with AI ethics, privacy concerns, and the increasing impact of our design decisions on society. While provocative, it provides practical frameworks for making better choices about what we create and why.

Monteiro, Mike. Design Is a Job: The Necessary Second Edition. Edited by Lisa Marie Marquis, Mule Books, 2024. 

>>> While not mentioned in our conversation, this book expands on many of the ideas in this episode and is essential reading for every designer.

Reece, Erik. Utopia Drive: A Road Trip through America’s Most Radical Idea. First paperback edition, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2017. 

>>> Sam highlighted this as one of her favorite books, noting how it connects to design thinking through its exploration of systematic change efforts. The book examines America's history of utopian communities as design experiments. I find it valuable for understanding how ambitious visions for change interact with real-world constraints — a tension researchers regularly navigate.

Hall, Erika. Just Enough Research. 2024 edition, Mule Books, 2024. 

>>> While not directly referenced by Sam, this newly updated guide aligns perfectly with her lean, practical approach to research. It provides excellent frameworks for right-sizing research efforts to match organizational constraints while maintaining rigor. The 2024 edition adds valuable perspective on remote research and working within regulated environments.

Gray, Dave, et al. Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers. O’reilly, 2010. 

>>> Sam mentioned returning to this book often, seeing it as an intersection of conceptual art and facilitation techniques. I agree. While positioned as a workshop tool, Gamestorming’s techniques for structured exploration and collaborative meaning-making are invaluable for research sessions. The methods can help create the trust and openness Sam emphasized as crucial for good research.

Tools We Discussed

Typeform: For research participant feedback loops

Salesforce: Example of embedding research in existing systems

Asana/Jira/Notion: Options for research operations management

Deepen Your Learning

5.5 Things Every Designer Should Know About Hacking Bureaucracy with Marina Nitze — DT101 E106

Language + Design Research + Researcher Self-Care with Abby Bajuniemi — DT101 E96

Trauma-Informed Design + Participatory Design Perils + Research with Vulnerable Populations with Sarah Fathallah — DT101 E72

Remember to join Ask Like a Designer, our learning community at fluidhive.com/podcast for more resources and conversations about design thinking in practice!

In this episode, I explore how architectural thinking enhances strategic decision-making with Adam Griff.

Our conversation reveals how his architectural background shapes his approach to helping higher education institutions navigate complex decisions and create flexible space solutions.

We dig into the challenges of designing spaces that can adapt to unknown futures and discuss how universities can better integrate with their communities. 

I particularly love how Adam frames flexibility in building design as creating platforms for future adaptations rather than just multi-purpose spaces.

We also explore the tension between academic and organizational decision-making and how to create and decide while delivering innovation in higher education.

Questions This Episode Helps You Answer

• How does thinking like an architect help organizations make better strategic decisions?

• What makes flexibility essential in both physical spaces and organizational processes, and how can we intentionally design for it from the beginning?

• What elements create environments where good decisions emerge, and how can we support better decision-making outcomes?

• How do we determine whether physical space is the best solution for achieving our organizational goals, and what questions should we ask before investing in space?

• How can we think about buildings as adaptable platforms that support evolving human needs rather than fixed structures with predetermined uses?

• How might universities and colleges create meaningful connections between campus development and community growth that benefit both?

• What strategies help organizations balance the need for scholarly rigor with efficient administrative decision-making, and how can these different approaches work together effectively?

Episode Highlights

[00:00] Introduction and background on Adam Griff

[01:38] How architectural thinking shapes strategic problem-solving

[04:17] Managing diverse stakeholders in higher education contexts

[05:35] Understanding people’s needs versus asking for solutions

[07:31] Orchestrating organizational decision-making

[09:13] The importance of decision-making culture in institutions

[11:20] Building trust and managing participation in decisions

[14:15] Creating shared understanding of evidence and good decisions

[17:04] Balancing organizational conditions with decision quality

[19:38] Making decisions with incomplete information

[21:36] Academic versus administrative approaches to decisions

[24:40] Rethinking flexibility in organizational strategy

[25:25] Space as a medium for service delivery

[26:51] Designing buildings as platforms for adaptation

[29:14] Lifecycle costs and sustainable building design

[30:48] Integration of campus and community development

[33:31] Responding to demographic changes in higher education

[35:33] Finding what is "uniquely possible" for institutions

[39:12] Moving from master planning to scenario-based "playbooks"

[41:09] Closing thoughts and connecting with Adam

Questions to Help You Go Deeper

Learning

How does architectural thinking about constraints and systems change your approach to organizational challenges?

What surprised you about our discussion of decision-making quality? Why?

Leading

How might you redesign decision-making environments in your organization?

What would change if you approached strategic planning as creating a playbook rather than a rigid strategic plan?

Applying

What's one small experiment you could run next week to improve your team's decision-making space?

Choose a current project or challenge. How might it benefit from thinking about systems and constraints like an architect?

Practicing

How will you incorporate the "Is space the right medium?" question into your solution development process?

What is one idea from the episode that you will apply in the next two two weeks?

Guest Resources

Adam on LinkedIn

Adam on Academia

Gamification: How to Play

Gensler

Gensler Research & Insights

Stewart Brand's "How Buildings Learn"

The High Line, NYC

Higher education demographic/enrollment cliff

Scenario planning methodologies

COM-B behavior change model

Stranded assets

Resources I Recommend

DT101 Episodes

Radical Participatory Design + Relationships in Complex Systems Inclusive Design with Victor Udoewa — DT101 E127

Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change with Julie Dirksen — DT101 E131

Healthcare Design: Evidence-based, Business Fluent, and Change Prepared with Matt Van Der Tuyn — DT101 E140

Books

Brown, Peter C., Henry L. Roediger, and Mark A. McDaniel. Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Cambridge, Mass: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2014. -- Orchestrating good decisions requires understanding how people learn. Before people can decide about something new they must learn the information they need to know to make a good decision and what constitutes a good decision in this context. Read chapter 8.

Ariely, Dan. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. Revised and Expanded edition, First Harper Perennial edition published. Harper Business & Economics. New York: Harper Perennial, 2010. -- Ariely walks you through ways we make decisions that conflict with classic economic rationality, like: The Effect of Expectations: Our preconceptions and expectations significantly influence our experiences and decisions. For instance, people report greater pain relief from more expensive placebos, demonstrating how price can affect perceived value. The Cost of Ownership: Once we own something, we tend to overvalue it (the "endowment effect").

Heath, Chip, and Dan Heath. Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work. New York: Random House Books, 2014. -- Don’t trust your gut. It hates you. You’ll learn how to slow down and avoid becoming a cautionary tale like the ones in this book.

Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking, Fast and Slow. First paperback edition. Psychology/Economics. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013. -- "Thinking, Fast and Slow" reveals how our minds use both quick instincts and careful analysis to make choices, helping innovators design solutions that work with human psychology rather than against it.

Thaler, Richard H., and Cass R. Sunstein. Nudge: Improving Decisions about Money, Health, and the Environment. Final edition. New York: Penguin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2021. -- Nudge "Nudge" reveals how small changes in how choices are presented can dramatically impact decision-making and behavior at scale, while preserving freedom of choice.

I'd love to hear what insights you're taking away from this exploration of architecture, strategy, and organizational design. Share your thoughts and stay updated at https://fluidhive.com/design-thinking-101-podcast/ 

Stay lucky ~ Dawan

Sahibzada Mayed is a creative alchemist who uses design and storytelling to cultivate joy and imagination as tools of liberation. Mayed serves as the Co-Lead for Strategy and Research at Pause and Effect, a liberation-focused imagination and design collective based on Coast Salish territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Beyond that, Mayed leads a small-scale startup, Naranji, that focuses on gender justice and decolonization in fashion. Today, we talk about decolonizing design and creative liberation.

Listen to learn about: >> The impact of colonialism and power structures on design >> The need for critical social analysis in design >> Designing for Joy >> Decolonizing design >> The importance of locality and place in design >> Rethinking how we think about and experience systems Our Guest Sahibzada Mayed is a creative alchemist who uses design and storytelling to cultivate joy and imagination as tools of liberation. Mayed serves as the Co-Lead for Strategy and Research at Pause and Effect, a liberation-focused imagination and design collective based on Coast Salish territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Beyond that, Mayed leads a small-scale startup, Naranji, that focuses on gender justice and decolonization in fashion. Their work has been prominently featured during New York and Chicago Fashion Weeks and highlighted in several publications across the United States, Pakistan, Thailand, and Japan. Mayed's identity is shaped by their background as a Muslim immigrant of Persian, Afghan, Indian, and Pakistani heritage, as well as lived experiences of queerness, disability, and neurodivergence. Show Highlights [02:15] Mayed’s unconventional journey into design, combining engineering and social sciences. [04:05] How this background has helped Mayed in their work. [06:01] Mayed’s current work focus is on understanding the impact of colonialism in design. [07:36] The challenge of collaborating when existing power differentials have yet to be addressed. [09:28] What is power? [12:04] Mayed shares thoughts on designing when you’re close to, or a part of, the community you’re designing for, versus being outside that community. [13:53] Dawan talks about how perfection is the enemy of change. [15:57] The fear and discomfort of taking responsibility for causing harm. [16:28] Good intentions do not absolve responsibility. [17:30] Building accountability into what you design. [19:19] Ethics in design and looking for the potential of harm while designing. [22:45] There is an assumption of neutrality and objectivity around design. [24:47] Designing to prevent harm, and also designing for joy and compassion and care. [29:45] Decolonizing design. [35:12] Grounding design in the context of the place and space where it will live. [38:47] Shifting the way we think about design, to move beyond the human. [40:44] Rethinking how we think about and experience systems. [45:13] Last thoughts from Mayed about doing the work and the responsibility that comes with that. LinksMayed on LinkedInMayed on MediumMayed’s websitepause + effect - 5-week intensive, Reimagining ResearchInterview: Fashion Designer Sahibzada MayedCultivating Design Ecologies of Care, Community, and CollaborationI Don’t Want A Seat at Your Table w/ sahibzada mayedDecentralizing Power through Design with Sahibzada Mayed and Lauren Lin Book Recommendations Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds, by Adrienne Maree Brown

DT 101 EpisodesDesign Social Change with Lesley-Ann Noel — DT101 E128 Radical Participatory Design + Relationships in Complex Systems Inclusive Design with Victor Udoewa — DT101 E127 Design Ethics with George Aye — DT101 E136

Matthew Van Der Tuyn is a designer and healthcare innovation strategist. Matt is the Senior Director of Design and Strategy at the Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation at Penn Medicine. The mission at the Center is to serve as a catalyst and accelerator for initiatives that dramatically improve health outcomes, patient and provider experiences, and decrease the cost of care. Matt has had the unique opportunity to help build the Center’s design, discipline, and elevate design thinking as a key tool in Penn Medicine's organizational toolbox. Matt's design process balances divergent and creative thinking to push beyond incremental solutions with the rigor of an evidence-based approach. We talk about becoming and being a designer in healthcare and Matt's practice.

Listen to learn about: >> The unique challenges of designing and innovating in the healthcare space >> Problem-centric vs solution-centric thinking and action >> The importance of change management in the design process Our Guest Matt is a designer and health care innovation strategist. Matt’s design roots are in information, product, and service design. His design practice began with visual arts, information design, and product design for luxury goods before deciding to pivot into design for social impact. With this new focus on using design to solve societal issues, Matt’s work expanded into the design of services and co-design as a tool for empowering disadvantaged communities. Matt’s guiding principle is that design is a mindset that anyone can leverage, and that the role of the “Designer” is to help others tap into this mindset to imagine new possibilities.

In 2012, Matt made a leap into health care when he joined the newly minted Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation at Penn Medicine (CHTI). The mission of this new center was to serve as a catalyst and accelerator for initiatives that dramatically improve health outcomes, patient and provider experiences, and decrease the cost of care.

Entering as the first designer on this new team, Matt has had the unique opportunity to help build CHTI’s design discipline and elevate design thinking as a key tool in Penn Medicine’s organizational toolbox. Matt’s design process balances divergent and creative thinking to push beyond incremental solutions with the rigor of an evidence-based approach.

Matt leads with the belief that the foundation of great design, and building a culture of innovation, is empowerment. That the greatest ingredient for innovation in any large service organization is the people on the front lines of service delivery who have the passion, insight, and opportunity to effect change. However, there are not often clear pathways for these staff to gain traction with ideas nor are there efficient ways for leadership to identify and support these frontline champions. Matt believes bridging this gap, through design, between high-level organizational objectives and the frontline staff with the answers, where agency is created for innovation, is the key to unlocking the true potential of an organization.

Matt does not see design as a silver bullet, but rather a binder that can align the many, diverse, voices and skills needed for transformative solutions. In addition to design, Matt will quickly point to the various disciplines and individuals across Penn Medicine that he feels create the secret sauce that makes anything possible. From behavioral economists to data scientists, quality and safety experts to hospitality experts, Matt is a firm believer that everyone has something to contribute, if we center ourselves around a shared set of values that prioritize improving the lives of others. Show Highlights [02:02] Matt’s love of the fine arts, and why he ended up in graphic design. [02:34] Evolving from graphic design into product design of dinnerware. [03:25] The book that helped change Matt’s design path. [04:33] Grad school at the University of Arts in Philadelphia. [05:44] How Matt’s grad school project with Penn Medicine led to the creation of the Center he works at today. [09:30] Being problem-centric instead of solution-centric. [12:45] The unique challenges of innovation work in healthcare. [14:26] One of Matt’s big “a-ha!” moments. [15:29] An exercise Matt uses to help people move past assumptions and think creatively. [18:31] Looking for the people who really wanted the help. [19:34] Storytelling in Matt’s work. [22:28] The need for rigor and evidence when designing for healthcare. [24:42] Matt encourages new designers to find ways to measure the success of their work. [25:44] Getting comfortable with the business and finance side of healthcare. [29:38] The importance of good change management. [30:55] Using behavior design to help people with change. [31:27] Conflict as a natural part of the design process. [35:57] Matt’s advice for those wanting to work in healthcare design. [38:32] Books and resources Matt recommends. Links Matthew on LinkedIn Matthew at UPenn MedicinePenn Medicine: Center for Health Care Transformation and InnovationA Global Pandemic Turned Everything Upside Down. What Has Penn Medicine’s Innovation Team Learned From That?

Book Recommendations Design Revolution: 100 Products The Empower People, by Emily Pilloton The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, by Erving Goffman DT 101 EpisodesHealthcare + Systems + Risk + Design with Rob Lister — DT101 E122 A Designer’s Journey into Designing for Health and Healthcare with Lorna Ross — DT101 E45 Designing Health Systems + Creating Effective Design Workshops with Sean Molloy — DT101 E44

Christina Hanschke's career journey has spanned many diverse roles. She's been a music therapist, nanny, and UX researcher, and she’s currently a Design Lead at Final Mile, where she applies a multidisciplinary approach to address pressing societal changes, drawing from behavioral science, human-centered design, and systems thinking. As an adjunct faculty at DePaul University, Christina extends her passion for leveraging behavioral science in human-centered design to the next generation of innovators fostering a diverse culture of curiosity and continual learning. Christina and I talk about behavioral science, design for global health, and the importance of learning design.

Listen to learn about: >> Behavioral science in healthcare >> Final Mile’s work in the global health space >> Collaboration and co-creation with clients >> Team facilitation Our GuestChristina's career journey, spanning diverse roles as a music therapist, nanny, and UX researcher, lays the groundwork for her current position as a Design Lead at Final Mile. Here, she applies a multidisciplinary approach to address pressing societal challenges, drawing from behavioral science, human-centered design, and systems thinking. She has had the privilege of collaborating with and supporting the efforts of community champions, local partners and ministries to address complex challenges such as HIV and vaccine hesitancy (COVID-19 and HPV). 

Additionally, as an adjunct faculty at DePaul University, Christina extends her passion for leveraging behavioral science in human-centered design to the next generation of innovators, fostering a culture of curiosity and continual learning.

When she isn’t reading on the couch with her dogs, Christina finds joy in making music with friends. Show Highlights [02:38] Christina’s career started in music therapy, working with children, before becoming a nanny while going to graduate school at DePaul. [03:44] Moving into UX research in business. [04:01] Christina’s role at Final Mile. [04:44] Working in the global health arena. [05:27] Christina and her team’s work on vaccine hesitancy. [08:38] Working with different countries and cultures. [11:30] Dawan and Christina talk about handling power dynamics in their work. [13:49] How Christina helps the people she’s working with to see value in the work. [14:51] Using social learning and group work to encourage engagement and let them experience the value first-hand. [17:54] Christina offers advice for facilitators. [22:12] Behavioral science is understanding how people make decisions. [22:33] The complicated behavioral challenges in the healthcare space. [23:50] Understanding the “intent to action” gap. [25:13] How starting a new project looks for Christina’s team. [27:28] Co-creating and prototyping behavioral interventions with the people living the health issue. [29:05] Using visualizations to quickly capture ideas and tell stories. [31:36] Giving adults permission to be creative and curious. [32:33] Christina asks Dawan about how he incorporates play into his work. [34:29] Getting people to practice listening early on in an event or project. [36:34] Other ways to get participants to connect and engage. [39:32] Helping people get comfortable with discomfort. [42:09] One thing Christina really enjoyed about working with teams in Kenya. [46:30] There’s no single way to do design thinking. [47:17] Christina’s experiences teaching graduate students about behavioral science and UX. [50:21] Working with clients should be a collaborative relationship. [52:25] Avoiding overcomplication of the process. [56:27] Resources Christina recommends and that have helped her in her work. [57:45] Last words from Christina on the importance of continual learning, and learning outside of your usual sphere.

LinksChristina on LinkedIn Christina on ResearchGateFinalMile ConsultingImproving Vaccine Uptake Book Recommendations Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman Beyond Sticky Notes: Co-design for Real: Mindsets, methods and movements, by Kelly Ann McKercher DT 101 EpisodesTalk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change with Julie Dirksen — DT101 E131 Behavioral Design X Service Design with Anne van Lieren — DT101 E40 Behavioral Science + Behavior Change Design + Social Impact with Dustin DiTommaso — DT101 E28

Stephanie Gioia is a founder at Future Work Design with a focus on strategic planning and organizational innovation. She also serves as the director of the Either/Org project and teaches human-centered design for organizational innovation at the University of Oregon's Executive MBA program. She’s taught at Stanford’s d.school, University of Michigan, and Pacific Northwest College of Art. She is the founder of deckaholic.com, the world's largest library of card decks for problem solving and creativity. We talk about organizational design and strategy, and helping organizations navigate change.

Listen to learn about:>> Organizational design >> Either/Org’s Inspiration Library for organizations >> Prototyping organizational changes >> Navigating and de-risking change Our GuestStephanie Gioia (she/her) is a founding partner at Future Work Design with a focus on strategic planning and organizational innovation. Stephanie was one of the earliest strategists to use the power of Human Centered Design to solve organizational design challenges. Stephanie also serves as director of The Either/Org Project, an organizational design inspiration lab. This project vibrates all her interests: organization design, practical tool-making, learning and inspiration, and a firm belief that we can change the whole world by changing the world of work.

Stephanie teaches Human Centered Design for Organizational Innovation at University of Oregon’s Executive MBA program. In the past she has taught programs at Stanford’s d.school, University of Michigan, and Pacific Northwest College of Art. She is the founder of www.deckaholic.com, the world's largest library of card decks for problem solving and creativity.

Stephanie holds an MBA from the University of Michigan in Strategy and Organizational Sensemaking and earned her B.A. in History and Government from Georgetown University. She lives in beautiful Klickitat country (White Salmon, WA) with her partner Dave and is a mom to two fantastic kids. Show Highlights [01:59] Stephanie’s interest in organizational life led her to taking jobs in large organizations to see how they functioned. [02:40] How can we make organizations operate better and be a better experience for employees? [03:16] Getting an MBA in strategy and organizational sense making. [03:52] Deciding to use design thinking to prototype and design better workplaces. [04:55] Her time at IDEO. [05:25] Co-founding Future Work Design. [06:22] Working with clients at Future Work Design. [07:54] Using Future Work Design’s Wayfinder card deck to help a team align and start working together. [11:05] Helping clients get comfortable with ambiguity. [11:23] Stephanie offers an example of a client project focused on reimagining how the client might make decisions better aligned with their core values. [16:23] Reclaiming the “design” part of organizational design. [20:18] The Either/Org’s inspiration library for organizations looking to innovate. [22:57] Visualizing an organization beyond the org chart. [23:57] Organizational prototyping. [29:25] Helping organizations navigate and de-risk change. [32:11] A project for an international NGP that entailed changing their entire operating model. [34:07] Managing the expectations of change.

Links Stephanie on LinkedIn Stephanie on Medium Stephanie on Instagram Stephanie on YouTube Stephanie on UX Magazine Future Work Design either/org Deckaholic DT 101 Episodes

Civic Design + Innovation Ops + System Design with Ryann Hoffman — DT101 E62

Employee Experience by Design: How to Create an Effective EX for Competitive Advantage with Belinda Gannaway — DT101 E75

UX + Into, Through, and (Almost) Out of Design with Kara DeFrias — DT101 E103

Sarah Doody is a user research experience designer and researcher. She's also the founder of Career Strategy Lab, a UX career coaching program. In 2011, she co-created the curriculum and taught for General Assembly's first 11-week UX intensive program in New York City. She has extensive experience doing experience design, product strategy, and user research for companies including Fatherly, Sling, Citi Bike, We Work, Domino Magazine, Tictail, the Muse, Dow Jones and more. She speaks at conferences and teaches workshops worldwide. Today, we talk about designing your career and user experience for small businesses.

Listen to learn about: >> Creating a career roadmap >> Career marketing materials and messaging >> The importance of stories and storytelling when interviewing Our GuestSarah Doody is the founder of Career Strategy Lab™, a program that helps UX and product professionals at all career stages navigate their job search and articulate their skills and experience through individualized and group coaching. She is also the host of the Career Strategy Lab podcast.

Since 2021, professionals who have worked with Sarah have increased their salaries by 40% on average and have been hired at prestigious brands such as Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce, Nordstrom, Spotify, Blue Origin on average in 3.5 months. She has been featured as an expert in Forbes, Fast Company, Insider, Fox Business, and more. 

Show Highlights [01:43] Sarah originally planned to have a career in neuroscience. [02:19] During a gap year, she ended up in graphic and web design instead, which led to a focus on information architecture. [2:50] From there, Sarah turned to product and user experience design and user research. [3:43] Launching her own consulting company. [04:40] How creating and teaching a workshop about building a design portfolio launched Sarah’s new career coaching business. [06:07] One mistake many make when it comes to their careers. [07:57] Sarah’s company helps people do research on themselves to help them find jobs and careers that fulfill them professionally and personally. [09:04] Being more intentional when thinking about your career. [10:47] Creating a career roadmap. [15:08] Sarah’s advice for those who are trying to figure out their next career moves. [15:30] The importance of business relationships. [18:01] The three core career marketing materials. [19:41] Focus on outcomes. [21:31] Tailoring messaging for the job you want next. [26:26] As a job candidate, you’re a product and companies hiring are your customers. [27:35] Researching companies before the interview. [29:16] Anders Ericsson and the 10,000 hour rule. [30:30] Using stories in interviews. [34:09] Think like a lawyer when interviewing. [39:16] How Sarah and her team work on projects. [42:02] Where to find out more about Sarah and her work. [43:27] Sarah’s last advice about career planning. Links Sarah on LinkedIn Sarah’s website Sarah on YouTube Sarah on Instagram Sarah on Medium Sarah on Forbes Sarah on Inside Design Sarah on UX Magazine Career Strategy Lab Career Strategy Podcast Sarah Doody on the democratization of UX and thinking like a designer 3 Signs Your Team Isn’t Doing Enough User Research The NN/g UX Podcast: Designing a UX Career The UX Growth Podcast, Season 2 Episode 12 People of Product: How to Finally Land a Job in UX DT 101 EpisodesUX + Design Teams with Nick Finck — DT101 E117 UX + Into, Through, and (Almost) Out of Design with Kara DeFrias — DT101 E103 UX Research + Research Teams + UX Camp DC with Glenette Clark — DT101 E80

This is the inaugural DT101 Live!, with guest George Aye. George co-founded Greater Good Studio with the belief that design can help advance equity. Previously, he spent seven years at global innovation firm IDEO before being hired as the first human-centered designer at the Chicago Transit Authority. He speaks frequently across the US and internationally. George holds the position of Adjunct Full Professor at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Today, we are talking live about ethics in design in the design industry. 

Listen to learn about: >> What is ethical design? >> The current state of ethics in the design industry >> Project “gut checks” and saying no to projects >> How power can warp ethics Show Highlights [01:33] Audience welcome + breakfast fun + mochi doughnuts! [05:20] Dawan shares the event agenda. [07:42] Dawan introduces George. [09:06] George starts off by talking about human-centered design. [09:41] The story of the invention of e-cigarettes on the Stanford campus and how it relates to human-centered design. [11:13] What George found most shocking about the story. [11:24] It’s not just about can we do something, it’s about should we do it? [12:38] Looking at the roots of the design industry. [13:13] The weakness of Dieter Rams’ ten principles of good design. [14:20] What we need is an ethical framework for good design. [15:12] How Greater Good Studio approaches ethics in design. [15:58] Lived experience is expertise. [16:21] Design is transformative. [17:04] The design industry and education has trained designers to always say yes to projects, but not to know when to say no. [18:01] George’s Ten Provocative Questions. [19:10] Losing one’s inner conscience and voice. [20:47] A succinct definition of power. [21:24] Power asymmetry. [23:59] The risk of working on projects that potentially cause harm. [26:00] Greater Good Studio’s weekly gut checks and breakup emails. [27:38] Some patterns and a framework when writing your own breakup emails. [29:12] Design is an accelerant. [31:08] We must call out the ways in which design can be harmful. [31:24] George’s ideas around a possible standard design code of ethics and standards for practice. [32:05] Accountability, not gatekeeping. [37:21] Leadership needs to constantly practice being receptive to hard feedback from the team. [38:19] The gut check is a deliberate tripping hazard. [40:28] Ethics for people who don’t normally handle ethics. [42:48] Approaching the potential for harm in a trained-to-be-optimistic design industry. [47:58] How do we approach C-suite and other leaders to have conversations around ethics? [51:49] What the next ten years looks like for ethics in design. Links George on LinkedInGeorge at SAICGreater Good StudioGreater Good Studio on MediumArticles by George Why designers write on the walls (and why you should, too)Design Education’s Big Gap: Understanding the Role of PowerIt’s Time to Define What “Good” Means in Our IndustryThe Gut Check, by Sara Cantor Aye DT 101 EpisodesDesign for Good + Gut Checks + Seeing Power with George Aye — DT101 E50 Design for Good + Ethics + Social Impact with Sara Cantor — DT101 E100 Trauma-informed Design + Social Work + Design Teams with Rachael Dietkus — DT101 E81

Kareem Collie is an accomplished designer and educator with a rich background in both the corporate and academic worlds. Leading design teams for organizations like Nickelodeon, Coca-Cola, and USA Network, he has driven transformation and engagement through his expertise in visual and user-experience design. As Design Lead at IBM, he was instrumental in innovating user experiences. Currently, as the Design Director and Manager for NASA JPL's DesignLab, he applies design thinking to communicating and educating about space exploration, bringing a unique intersection of design, science, and technology to the forefront. His thought leadership includes co-editing "The Black Experience in Design" and serving on the AIGA’s national educators steering committee. Today, we talk about how curiosity fuels design thinking, communication, and leadership. Listen to learn about:>> A deep dive into the why’s of design thinking >> Embracing curiosity and seeing where it leads you >> What it means to truly communicate >> Kareem’s wonderful, meandering path through design and design thinking Our GuestKareem Collie is an accomplished designer and educator with a rich background in both the corporate and academic worlds. Leading design teams for organizations like Nickelodeon, Coca-Cola, and USA Network, he has driven transformation and engagement through his expertise in visual and user-experience design. As Design Lead at IBM, he was instrumental in innovating user experiences. Currently, as the Design Director and Manager for NASA JPL's DesignLab, he applies design thinking to communicating and educating about space exploration, bringing a unique intersection of design, science, and technology to the forefront.

Before IBM, Kareem was the Director of Design at The Hive, where he merged design thinking with liberal arts and encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration. He has also lectured at prestigious institutions like Stanford University and Pratt Institute.

His thought leadership includes co-editing "The Black Experience in Design" and serving on the AIGA’s national educators steering committee. He is a frequent speaker, exhibitor, and podcast guest, solidifying his status in the design community. Kareem holds advanced degrees from NYU and Pratt Institute.

With a focus on user-experience and visual design, and a commitment to critical explorations of culture, Kareem Collie continually seeks impactful opportunities through design. Show Highlights [02:19] Kareem’s path to working at NASA. [03:27] Being a creative child. [04:14] Attending Brooklyn Technical High School and studying architecture. [05:22] Discovering new media/digital art while at Howard University.[05:57] Transferring to the Pratt Institute to study graphic design and art direction, and falling in love with design. [07:06] Kareem’s early years in the design industry. [07:55] Co-founding a design studio and teaching at the Pratt Institute. [09:02] Getting to design his own graduate degree curriculum at Gallatin at NYU. [10:18] Going to Stanford’s d.school. [11:02] Becoming the Associate Director and the Rick and Susan Sontag Center for Collaborative Creativity aka “The Hive” at Claremont College. [12:03] Passing through IBM before becoming the Head of Design at NASA’s JPL Lab. [15:07] Dawan and Kareem share memories of travel and exploration and sharing a curiosity about the world. [20:30] Communication and being vulnerable. [22:33] Communication is collaboration. [23:40] Dawan talks about needing to be willing to change during the experience of communicating with someone. [27:05] One of the things Kareem loves most is being part of a learning journey with others. [30:28] What it means to be a leader and how Kareem developed his own sense of leadership. [33:20] The importance of embracing and being OK with ambiguity. [39:15] Design thinking has helped Kareem better understand his own thought processes. [40:00] Kareem hops onto his soapbox about why he loves design thinking and wants others to understand it better. [42:40] Developing the Critical Design Studio course at Claremont. [46:11] Design changes how we see and move through the world. [49:28] Design thinking gives students an alternative way of looking at a thing, whatever that thing might be. Links Kareem on LinkedIn Kareem’s website Kareem on Undefined by Design Hello from the Pluriverse: Season 1 Ep 28 with Kareem Collie The Black Experience in Design Book RecommendationsThe Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression & Reflection, edited by Anne Berry, Kareem Collie, Penina Acayo Laker, Lesley-Ann Noel, Jennifer Rittner, and Kelly Walters DT 101 EpisodesBuilding Design Capacity + Measuring Design Value + Designing Studios with Doug Powell — DT101 E16

A Designer’s Journey into Designing for Health and Healthcare with Lorna Ross — DT101 E45

Working and Leading at the Intersection of Engineering, Business and Design with Kevin Bethune — DT101 E76

Holly Owens is an Adjunct Professor at the Touro College Graduate School of Technology, where she teaches in the Instructional Technology program, and works full time as an Instructional Designer with PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy. She has over 15 years of experience in education in various roles, including high school educator, instructional technologist, and podcast host. Today, we talk about instructional design and designing learning experiences for adults. Listen to learn about: >> What is instructional design? >> Adaptive, individualized learning >> Andragogy and designing learning experiences for adults >> Incorporating strategic plans and goals into the learning experience Our GuestAs a Corporate Instructional Designer at Amazon Pharmacy, Holly brings over 17 years of diverse experience in education, specializing in instructional technology, design, and teaching. Since 2012, she has been actively involved in online education, currently serving as an educator at Touro University's Graduate School of Technology in their Instructional Design/Technology program.

With two master's degrees from the University of Maryland, Global Campus—one in Instructional Technology and another in Distance Education—Holly also holds a certificate in Distance Education Leadership and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Leadership.

Holly’s dedication lies in promoting online learning and its vast potential to empower students worldwide. As the host of the EdUp EdTech podcast, she offers a leading resource to stay updated on the latest and most impactful Ed Tech tools revolutionizing education. The podcast features guests from the EdTech industry, sharing personal and professional growth stories while exploring how technology is reshaping the education landscape. Show Highlights[01:49] Holly discovered a love of EdTech while teaching high school, her first career. [02:12] Moving into higher education and instructional design. [03:44] Getting a job with Amazon Pharmacy. [05:09] Dawan explains why we talk about instructional design on the podcast. [07:06] What is instructional design? [08:59] Holly’s thoughts on remote/distance learning. [11:36] Adult vs young learners. [13:33] Designing learning experiences for adult learners. [15:07] Holly discusses how she designs learning experiences. [18:00] Adult learners want to know the destination and the what and how of getting there. [20:10] Fitting the strategic plan and business goals into the learning experience. [22:32] The differences between the corporate and education spaces when it comes to innovation. [27:18] Holly’s thoughts and advice for those thinking about getting into instructional design. [31:23] Books and resources Holly recommends. [34:24] Where to find out more about Holly and her work. Links Holly on LinkedIn Holly at Touro University EdUp EdTech Holly Owens—Making the Leap from Educator to Instructional Designer An Insider's Perspective: The Journey from Educator to Instructional Designer w/ Holly Owens Holly Owens with Host Toddi Norum: The Changing World of Online Ed & the Future of the Instructional Designer Holly Owens - The Secret is in the Sauce: 5 Key Ingredients to Use When Designing an Online Course from Scratch 5 Ways to Help Students Succeed in Online Courses with Holly Owens Book Recommendations Map It: The hands-on guide to strategic training design, by Cathy Moore

Design for How People Learn, by Julie Dirksen

Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change, by Julie Dirksen

What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer, by Luke Hobson

The eLearning Designer's Handbook: A Practical Guide to the eLearning Development Process for New eLearning Designers, by Tim Slade DT 101 EpisodesTalk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change with Julie Dirksen — DT101 E131

5.5 Things Every Designer Should Know About: The Future of Higher Education with Bryan Alexander — DT101 E97

Learning Design with Yianna Vovides — DT101 E58