In this episode from ID's Shapeshift conference, Terry Williams-Willcock, Chief Customer Officer at RUSH Digital, and Chelsea Pratt, Design Lead & Strategist at Thoughtfull, discuss ways that intentionally designed AI can address challenges to democracy.

Key Topics

• Why "AI won't save democracy, but design might."
• The democratic crisis of trust: why people aren't disengaging from voting because they don't care, but because they don't know who or what information sources to trust.
• Designing for the margins to benefit everyone: how focusing on visually impaired voters revealed universal barriers to accessing political information and participating in democracy.
• Their work on Chime: using various AI tools to transform complex policy content into engaging, multi-perspective audio experiences.
• Why human values must drive AI design principles and move beyond commercial incentives toward transparency, accessibility, and shared truth as the foundation for democratic participation.

ID’s Shapeshift Summit: Shaping Our Future with AI

ID Events

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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In this episode from ID's Shapeshift conference, Anamitra Deb, Senior Vice President of Programs and Policy at Omidyar Network, makes the case for "hardwiring humanity" into our digital future. Drawing from his grandmother's remarkable use of technology at age 100, from health monitoring to Netflix streaming, he illustrates how innovation succeeds when embedded in structures of human care and compassion. 

• Why shared agency and societal governance are essential countervails to concentrated tech power
• How expanding who sits at the decision-making table, from kids and teens to workers and faith leaders - creates better technology outcomes
• The case for "rules of the road" in digital technology, comparing current Wild West conditions to safety standards in automotive and pharmaceutical industries
• Stories where partners have had success in developing better approaches, from youth-led advocacy to fashion models winning IP rights over AI-generated likenesses
• The three-to-five-year window of opportunity to shape AI's development toward inclusive, equitable outcomes
• How designers can be central to creating technology defaults that work for the most vulnerable users

ID’s Shapeshift Summit: Shaping Our Future with AI

ID Events

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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In this episode from ID's Shapeshift conference, Ryan Powell shares how Waymo uses design to tackle one of the world's most pressing challenges: the 1.35 million annual traffic fatalities and 50 million injuries from vehicle crashes. 

• The challenge of building trust between passengers and autonomous vehicles in the absence of human drivers
• The evolution from Phoenix's suburban environment to San Francisco's dense urban challenges, requiring "legible motion" and LED signals to communicate with pedestrians and other road users
• Working with cities as stakeholders to integrate autonomous vehicles into existing transportation systems, including first-and-last-mile solutions for public transit
• Growing evidence that autonomous vehicles are making roads safer, particularly for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists
• The importance of maintaining human-centered design principles when developing AI applications, focusing on human needs rather than technological capabilities

ID’s Shapeshift Summit: Shaping Our Future with AI

ID Events

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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In this episode, Patrick Whitney shares his path from reluctantly accepting Jay Doblin's invitation to teach a single course to discovering his passion for helping students grow. He reflects on the challenges of teaching design, particularly to eager freshmen students, and how that experience shaped his understanding of design education.

• The fundamental tension between business's focus on financial prediction and design's human-centered approach
• Why traditional business metrics fail to capture design's true value
• How design value is measured in human moments: laughter, social interaction, and improved daily experiences
• Patrick's prediction of a crisis in prediction-based business model and the shift from "economy of scale" to "economy of choice" in modern business
• Why businesses must demonstrate value rather than simply predict it 
• How designers can generate richer arrays of strategic options

ID Honors Design Visionary Patrick Whitney

ID Events

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the revolutionary Clear RX prescription packaging system, created by designer Deborah Adler. What began as a personal experience with her grandparents' medication mix-up evolved into a groundbreaking design that transformed how medications are dispensed in America. The episode reveals how thoughtful design thinking, strategic partnerships, and persistence can create meaningful impact in healthcare.

Through an engaging conversation with Deborah Adler herself, this episode uncovers how a designer's entrepreneurial spirit, combined with deep observational insights and strategic collaboration, can overcome complex regulatory challenges to bring innovative solutions to market.

The Genesis of Clear RX

• Deborah's pivot from a thesis on curly hair products to prescription bottle design following her grandmother's medication mix-up
• The concept of "Gemba" (Japanese for "the real place") and its importance in identifying real-world problems
• Initial prototype development using dollhouse materials and tubing

Design Evolution & Features

• D-shaped bottle design evolution to accommodate child safety caps
• Collaboration with industrial designer Klaus Rosberg
• Key design elements:
  • Upside-down orientation for better grip and accessibility
  • Enhanced label space for improved readability
  • Color-coding system for family member identification
  • Information design and layout highlighting crucial label information
  • High-contrast text for better visibility

Strategic Implementation

• Navigation of regulatory challenges through FDA consultation
• Partnership with Target as a strategic choice for market entry
• Rapid development and implementation within one year
• Balance between innovation and practical constraints

Beyond Clear RX

• Development of Adler RX system for managing multiple medication regimens
• Continued innovation in healthcare design through collaborations with CVS and Johnson & Johnson
• Impact on both pharmacy and design communities

Design Principles & Lessons

• Importance of working within constraints rather than fighting them
• Value of direct observation in identifying design opportunities
• Role of strategic partnerships in bringing innovations to market
• Balance between creativity and practical implementation
• Significance of understanding regulatory landscapes in healthcare design

Clear Rx Medication Systsem Visual Overview

Adler Design

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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In this episode, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the groundbreaking design of the OXO Good Grips Peeler, an everyday tool that transformed how people interact with kitchen products. Featuring an exclusive interview with Davin Stowell, the founder of Smart Design and the visionary behind the peeler, the episode unpacks the story of how one small tool became a design revolution. Created with a focus on accessibility and universal usability, the peeler emerged from Sam Farber’s inspiration to help his wife, Betsy, manage kitchen tasks despite her arthritis. This intention not only sparked the iconic Good Grips Peeler but also launched OXO as a household name synonymous with thoughtful, inclusive design.

The conversation delves into the essence of what makes the OXO Good Grips Peeler an enduring example of good design—its intuitive handle, ergonomic form, and careful balance of signaling and functionality. This episode highlights the peeler’s journey from concept to market, showing how Stowell’s commitment to observation, prototyping, and user-centered design practices set a new standard. Listeners will come away with a richer understanding of how design principles and values can create products that improve lives and build stronger market connections.

• OXO Good Grips Design Origins and beginnings of Inclusive Design- Discover how Sam Farber’s insight into his wife’s struggle with kitchen tools inspired a radical redesign focused on accessibility. Learn how this user-first approach laid the foundation for OXO’s success.
• Interview with Davin Stowell- Davin Stowell shares behind-the-scenes insights into the development process, from partnering with the Arthritis Foundation to testing prototypes with users. He discusses how OXO’s commitment to user centered design and inclusive design has impacted the industry.
• Form and Function in Balance- The episode explores how the OXO peeler’s tactile handle and intuitive blade orientation create an inviting, easy-to-use tool. Albert and Thamer highlight the peeler’s distinctive “fins” on the handle as an example of both a functional and branding element.
• Testing and Prototyping- Stowell emphasizes the value of iterative prototyping and user testing, sharing anecdotes about testing materials, blade alignment, and even listening for the perfect peeling sound to ensure the final product met OXO’s high standards.
• Legacy and Impact- Reflect on how the OXO Good Grips Peeler set a benchmark for good design that is inclusive, becoming an iconic example in product design history. The episode questions how these design principles remain relevant and are applied today.

Smart Design- Discussion with Tucker Fort, Smart Design Partner on  How Smart Design is Inclusive Design

Fast Company- Davin Stowell shares his thoughts on The Untold Story of the Vegetable Peeler That Changed the World

OXO Website- The company shares the history Behind the Design: OXO's Iconic Good Grips Handles

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore how Zipline is addressing critical gaps in healthcare delivery through the use of autonomous drones. Especially in underserved rural areas, where timely access to medical supplies can mean the difference between life and death, Zipline's iterative approach to widening healthcare access has made real impact. The discussion highlights the key elements of Zipline’s success: their culture of ruthless practicality, their focus on simple, cost-effective solutions rather than theoretical perfection, and the role that partnerships with governments, like Rwanda’s, played in scaling their operations.
 

• Healthcare Access Challenge: Over 4 billion people live in rural areas with limited healthcare access, leading to preventable deaths due to a lack of medical supplies.
• Zipline’s Mission: Founded in 2014 by Keller Renaudo Cliffton and Keenan Wyrobek, Zipline set out to solve these logistical challenges by developing autonomous drones capable of delivering medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas.
• Innovative Drone Design: Zipline operates two platforms: Platform 1 for rural deliveries, using fixed-wing drones with a parachute-drop system. Platform 2 for urban areas, utilizing a hybrid drone with precision delivery via a descending “Droid.”
• Rwanda Success Story: Zipline launched its operations in Rwanda in 2016, initially serving 21 hospitals. By 2019, they were delivering 75% of the country’s blood supply outside the capital, reducing blood wastage and maternal deaths.
• Global Expansion: Zipline now operates in Ghana, Japan, the United States, and other countries, partnering with retailers like Walmart and expanding their delivery scope to include retail and various medical supplies.
• Regulation and Equity in Emerging Technologies: The role of regulation to keep pace with technology to avoid unintended negative outcomes and help ensure that underserved communities gain access to these advances, rather than being left behind.

• IEEE Spectrum: Detailed article discussing how Zipline designed its Droid delivery system
• Zipline’s Website: Learn more about their technology and global operations at FlyZipline.com
• Gates Foundation: Discover the foundation’s work on global healthcare and their partnership with Zipline at gatesfoundation.org
• Leap Design: A catalyst organization to build design capabilities and unlock latent potential in existing networks to promote the well-being of people and the planet Leap.org
• 100 Greatest Designs List: Check out ID’s list of the 100 Greatest Designs of All Time

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum delve into the creation of Raspberry Pi—a $35, credit card-sized computer that has revolutionized technology education and sparked innovation worldwide. They explore the origins of the Raspberry Pi, its foundational design principles, its profound impact on education and industry, and why it succeeded where other educational technologies struggled.

Joined by special guest Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design and author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, the conversation expands to discuss approaches for designing for educational outcomes, including the topics of stakeholder-centered design, the pitfalls of techno-determinism, and the importance of designing with marginalized communities in mind.

This episode sheds light on how a small team of visionaries created a low-cost, versatile computing platform that reignited interest in computer science education and empowered a global community of innovators. The discussion underscores the importance of affordability, accessibility, stakeholder engagement, and a clear mission in developing impactful technological solutions.

The Origins of Raspberry Pi

• Motivation for Creation: Addressing the alarming decline in computer science applicants and rekindling interest in programming among youth.
• Inspiration from the Past: Drawing lessons from early home computers like the BBC Micro to create an accessible platform.
• Formation of the Raspberry Pi Foundation: Establishing a nonprofit organization focused on education.

Design Principles of Raspberry Pi

• Affordability: Achieving a groundbreaking price point of $25-$35 to democratize access to computing.
• Accessibility: Utilizing open-source hardware and software to encourage tinkering and learning.
• Versatility: Incorporating GPIO pins and modular design to enable a wide range of projects, from robotics to environmental sensing.
• Nonprofit Mission: Balancing educational goals with sustainable practices through a commercial arm.

Impact on Education and Community

• Empowering Educators and Students: Supporting over 26,000 teachers and 12,000 schools in the UK, fostering hands-on, project-based learning.
• Global Community Engagement: Building a vibrant ecosystem of makers, educators, and enthusiasts sharing resources and collaborating.
• Industrial Applications: Adoption by various industries for innovative solutions, contributing to sustainability and growth.

Lessons from Other Educational Tech Initiatives

• Analyzing Failures and Successes: Comparing Raspberry Pi with initiatives like MOOCs and One Laptop Per Child to highlight the importance of community and stakeholder engagement.
• Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Approaches: Understanding why grassroots involvement can lead to greater success and impact.

Insights from Sheryl Cababa

• Stakeholder-Centered Design: The necessity of involving diverse communities in the design process to create inclusive solutions.
• Tech Bias and Techno-Determinism: Critiquing the assumption that technology is inherently beneficial and discussing potential harms.
• The Curb Cut Effect: Designing for marginalized users to create benefits that extend to all.

Sustainability and Business Model

• Commercial Arm for Sustainability: How the Raspberry Pi’s commercial success supports its educational mission.
• Ecosystem Building: Encouraging third-party development and industrial use cases to expand impact.

Future Implications and Applications

• Applying Raspberry Pi’s Principles: Lessons on affordability, adaptability, and community engagement for future technological innovations.
• Designing for Social Impact: Emphasizing the role of designers, engineers, and systems thinkers in creating technologies that serve broader societal needs.

Raspberry Pi Foundation- Learn more about their mission, educational resources, and how to get involved.

“Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers” by Sheryl Cababa- Explore insights on applying systems thinking in design to create sustainable and impactful  solutions.

With Intent Season 1 Episode 1: Utopianism and Technology with Morgan Ames- In the debut episode of "With Intent," Kristin Gecan interviews Morgan Ames about the One Laptop Per Child project, exploring its ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to provide laptops to children in developing countries. The discussion examines the project's failure, its connection to utopianism, and potential lessons for the field of design.

Sheryl Cababa: Designing For A More Equitable World with Systems Thinking- The 2024 Lucas J. Daniel Lecture in Sustainable Systems at the Institute of Design.

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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In this episode of the With Intent podcast byIIT's Institute of Design, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum welcome LifeStraw CEO Alison Hill. They discuss how LifeStraw was borne out of innovative technology and a unique business model that balances profit with purpose.

• The global water crisis: 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water
• LifeStraw's origins with Vestergaard and partnership with the Carter Center
• Evolution from public health tool to consumer product
• Innovative hollow fiber membrane technology
• User-centered design principles for public health products
• LifeStraw's dual focus on consumer business and social impact
• Impact: Nearly eradicating Guinea worm disease, reaching 10 million children

• LifeStraw’s 2023 Impact Report
• Vestergaard (LifeStraw's parent company)
• The Carter Center
• World Health Organization water crisis statistics

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

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Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the tale of Massimo Vignelli’s 1972 New York City Subway Map. Vignelli's design was celebrated for its modernist brilliance yet heavily critiqued for its practical shortcomings. Here, Thamer and Albert delve into the tension between geometric abstraction and geographic accuracy, examining how Vignelli’s map became both a milestone and a lesson in design history.

Take a deep dive into the complexities of designing for large-scale systems. This episode explores the importance of finding a delicate balance between aesthetic innovation and practical functionality, emphasizing the importance of user-centered design and iterative processes. Take away valuable lessons for engineers, designers, and systems thinkers on the profound impact that design and client decisions can have on user experience and social progress.

Harry Beck’s London Underground Map

Understand the pioneering design that influenced transit maps worldwide.

Massimo Vignelli’s 1972 Subway Map

Explore the original design that sparked both acclaim and controversy.

Hertz and Associates 1978 Subway Map

Explore the 1978 successor to the Vignelli map and foundation of today’s NYC Subway Map

The Subway Map that Rattled New Yorkers, The New York Times

The New York Times’ take on the Vignelli map controversy.

Helvetica and The New York Subway System, by Paul Shaw

A detailed exploration of the history and evolution of signage in the New York City subway system. The book examines the complex interplay between design, politics, and public perception in shaping the visual identity of one of the world's most iconic public transportation systems.

The New York Subway Map Debate, Edited by Gary Hustwit

A book containing the full transcript of the New York Subway Map debate  from the newly discovered tape, along with new interviews with surviving participants John Tauranac, Peter Laundy, Arline Bronzaft, and more.

Institute of Design at Illinois Tech

Discover programs and resources on design and systems thinking.

Subscribe to With Intent for more explorations into how design shapes our world, whether we call it design or not.