Placemaking and Sensemaking as Siblings

As UX roles and titles continue to shift, the ability to make sense of complexity may matter more than ever. Lou talks with information architect, author, and longtime collaborator Abby Covert about how her work evolved from information architecture into the broader practice of sensemaking—and why she believes that work extends far beyond people with “IA” in their job titles.

Abby also offers a preview of Shift UX, Rosenfeld Media’s hybrid conference on September 24–25, where she is one of the main curators. She explains how the event itself is being redesigned to move away from “design theater”: speakers will share the stage, dedicated sensemakers will connect ideas across talks, and the audience will become part of the conversation.

The conversation explores Abby’s Sensemakers Club, the importance of creating genuine community, and her new book, Timeless Sensemaking for Modern Sensemakers. Throughout, Abby makes the case that sensemaking isn’t simply about organizing information—it’s also about understanding people, adapting how we communicate, and helping others turn complexity into something they can actually use.

 

What You'll Learn from this Episode:

• How information architecture led Abby to the broader practice of sensemaking
• Why UX skills may outlast traditional UX roles and titles
• How Shift UX is rethinking the traditional conference experience
• Why sensemaking is personal—and looks different for everyone
• How intentional discussion can turn connection into genuine community
• Why adapting how you communicate can make your work more effective

 

Quick Reference Guide:

0:16 - Meet Abby

2:29 - Sense-making as part of information architecture; placemaking vs sensemaking

5:31 - More on the term sensemaking

9:46 - More on placemaking; moving away from performance and toward disclosure; experience design

16:09 - 15% off on two books: What Your Machine Should Do by Stephanie Hutko and Body Talk by Dane Sutter and Stephanie Scopolitis

17:17 - Sensemaking is personal

19:11 - What sensemaking will look like at the Shift UX conference

21:22 - Sensemakers Club and Abby’s book

26:27 - More on Abby’s book

30:34 - Abby’s gift for listeners

31:33 - Check out the Rosenverse

 

Resources and Links from Today's Episode:

How to Make Sense of Any Mess by Abby Covert https://abbycovert.com/make-sense/

Shift UX - September 24-25, 2026 https://shiftux.rosenfeldmedia.com/

Timeless Sensemaking for Modern Sensemakers by Abby Covert https://abbycovert.com/sensemaking/

Extra Bold, Feminist, Inclusive, Anti-Racist, Non-Binary Field Guide for Graphic Designers by Ellen Lupton, Farah Kafei, Jennifer Tobias, Josh A. Halstead, Kaleena Sales, Leslie Xia, Valentina Vergara https://papress.com/products/extra-bold

Quotes:

“I've come to understand sensemaking as a part of information architecture.”

“Information is sketchy when you look at it as a material that we wield.” 

“The stage is becoming sort of like this central gathering space, more like a meeting house and less like a theater production.”

“Sensemaking is an incredibly personal process.”