In this episode, we talk with Shan He from Uber, the founding member of Uber’s data visualisation team. Combing backgrounds in architectural generative design (gained in China) in the physical space with generative software design and data visualisation (learned at MIT) she created a new field that becomes increasingly important. By using geo-data and design visualisation tools she is able to design eye-opening visualisations that help in the communication of scientific findings and enable better decision making for cities and governments. Based on the data from Uber's global user in over 600 cities the visualisations can show when and how people move in the environment. In addition, her team developed an open source tool called “Kepler.gl” which gives everyone access to these powerful visualisations tools. Furthermore, the data is empowering research and science to easily create stunning infographics and presentations out of their data. For cities and urban planners its crucial to understand how people move, if they drive alone or with multiple people and understand citizen behaviour in general. Shan and her team work closely with cities to foster better and more strategic urban design. A talk exploring the intersection of design, data and cities of the future.

If you want to learn more about the tool Shan helped to develop and enables you to create powerful data visualisations click here: https://vis.gl

If you are interested in getting Joey’s book on emotional ergonomics head to https://www.joeyzeledon.com/shop/touchy-feely-book

In this episode, we talk with Joey Zeledón who just founded his own Design Studio. Prior to that, he was Design Principle at Steelcase, driving the intersection of spacial healthcare experience and furniture design. He is also the author of the book “Touchy/Feely” and Co-founder of Mothership. Before joining Steelcase Joey gained experience at Smart Design in New York, Continuum and even in footwear design through his time at New Balance. In the episode, we pick from his wide range of experiences ranging from Industrial Design and beyond - pushing innovation in a large range of areas like kitchen products, consumer electronics, furniture and others. Through experiences at Smart Design he also explored and researched new bold questions in design for example “How design can inform our food?” and how design can foster greater food decisions? A topic we specifically focused on was “emotional ergonomics” - how it does foster empathy for human-centred and importantly inclusive design.

If you are interested in getting Joey’s book on emotional ergonomics head to https://www.joeyzeledon.com/shop/touchy-feely-book

In this episode, we talk to Siri Johansson, who is currently designing at Spotify in Stockholm. Siri is a Swedish Interaction Designer who prior worked in various positions at IDEO London (and other locations) and studied MFA Interaction Design at the renowned Umea Institute of Design in the very north of Sweden. Before deciding to go into IxD she was already working as a full-time Industrial Designer in Sweden which led us to the topic of the intersection of Interaction and Industrial Design. We talk about how both fields can learn from each other, her learnings in the transition and how being interdisciplinary and open can be highly beneficial as a designer to drive things forward. In addition, we also touch on the difference between consultancy/agency and in-house when talking about her role at Spotify and the how design is positioned there.

We talk with Cheryl Platz, a pioneer in the area of AI-driven Voice User Interface Design and one of the first designer on the Amazon Echo System. We talk about the design process of designing the very first interactive voice experiences. Furthermore we learn about her experiences at Microsoft where she worked on both B2C and B2B solutions: Ranging from the Azure Product to AI in-car systems. These days she is driving positive change and impact through design as a Principal Designer at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition she is also running her own design consulting venture Ideaplatz, takes roles as an Actor and speaks at conferences around the world.

The conversation happened before Cheryl left Microsoft and joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.