In 2020, Helsinki was ranked as the happiest city in the world by the World Happiness Report. Can design influence citizen happiness? Hanna Harris, City of Helsinki's Chief Design Officer, is leading Helsinki’s pioneering work of using design to transform the city’s future. In this episode, we will discuss the role of design in the public sector and developing a functional city that works for all people.

Dr. D'Wayne Edwards knows what it takes to succeed in the growing world of footwear - and a traditional college degree is not on his list. As a design educator and founder of PENSOLE Footwear Design Academy based in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Edwards has developed a rigorous “learn by doing” educational experience delivered in partnership with industry’s top brands and retailers. In this episode we will hear about D'wayne's accelerated design education for and how he created a competitive pipeline of BIPOC talent for global brands.

Henry Ford did more than just put the world on wheels - he innovated a new way of manufacturing through the assembly line. Once again Ford Motor Company is a leader in innovation — this time using design-thinking to push the edge of its future strategies. In this episode, Sandy Fershee, Lab Director at D-Ford Detroit, will share how human-centered design can be key to transforming the automotive industry, businesses and other organizations.

Can designers help solve the global food crisis? LinYee Yuan thinks so. Lin Yee is a design journalist and founding editor of MOLD, an online and print magazine about designing the future of food. In this episode we are going to explore the role of design in the food system, how designers can help us address the oncoming food crisis, and why food activists should work with designers.

What does it mean to make a place truly accessible? The “LOVE” Building considered a lot more than ADA regulations in its approach. This project embraced a collaborative design process to develop a space that serves a diverse group of organizations and the broader community. Learn more from some of the key organizers and designers supporting this groundbreaking project.

Husband and wife duo Tanya Saldivar Ali and Luis Ali share how they're using inclusive design to address challenges faced by minority builders in urban development and planning. In this episode we will hear how Tanya and Luis are using their Detroit projects to mentor and uplift local narratives in the design built ecosystem.

Chris Cornelius, professor, citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and founder of studio:indigenous, focuses his research and practice on the architectural translation of culture; in particular, American Indian culture. In the previous episode we discussed how an indigneous point of view can transform the way we think about land and the spaces we inhabit. In this episode we will will find out what it means to decolonize the practice of design.

Chris Cornelius, professor, citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and founder of studio:indigenous, focuses his research and practice on the architectural translation of culture; in particular, American Indian culture. In this episode, we will discover how an indigenous point of view can transform the way we think about land and the spaces we inhabit.

Digital inclusion expert Joshua Edmonds and designer and tech enthusiast Cézanne Charles discuss the work happening improve digital access and opportunity in Detroit. Learn how Joshua and Cezanne are working with Design Core to support community-led technology initiatives through the City of Design Challenge.

Did you know that the Best of Hour Detroit voting is now open through March 15, 2021? We'd love to see the Detroit City of Design Podcast recognized as Detroit's best podcast and we can't do it without your help. Visit the link in the episode notes to cast your vote. We thank you so much for your support and look forward to bringing you Season 3 this spring.