This week we talk about designing for diverse perspectives 

Katie is a designer and researcher; she is a design consultant and Senior Research Associate at the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design which is an Inclusive design Centre based at the Royal College of Art in London. Katie is neurodivergent (Dyslexic and Dyspraxic) and for the last 16 years has collaborated with neurodivergent people to explore ways to make their everyday lives comfortable and enjoyable. Katie has worked within a range of contexts: Supported living accommodation, mental health hospitals, garden design, healthcare services, developing design standards for the built environment and street design.

An important aspect of Katie’s PhD called: A designer’s approach: Exploring how autistic adults with additional learning disabilities experience their home environment, was to explore how to connect and engage with people beyond verbal speech. A great lesson learnt was the importance of empathy, something that can grow and develop.

Katie speaks not as an expert but as a person with lived experience and the privilege of collaborating with lots of different people. 

Episode mentions and links: 

Design Lab Podcast Ep 36 with Rama Gheerawo

Heart n Soul: Believe in Us

Streets for Diversity

Streets for Diversity Survey

Katie’s restaurant rec: The Jetty

Follow Katie: Twitter | LinkedIn

Episode Website: https://www.designlabpod.com/episodes/126