Designing Work for Humans: Organizational Design with Humans in Mind | Stephanie Gioia and Melanie Kahl

15 snips

Aug 27, 2024

In this engaging discussion, design strategists Stephanie Goia and Melanie Kahl explore human-centered organizational design. They emphasize the need to focus on actions over objects to innovate workplace structures. The duo introduces a pattern language library to encourage collaboration and diversity in design. They also touch on empathetic practices that integrate emotional well-being into organizational frameworks. Insights on designing participatory spaces and transforming education further illuminate their vision for a more inclusive and dynamic work environment.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Empathetic Organizational Design

02:43 • 27min

Rethinking Organizational Design

29:42 • 26min

Transforming Education Through Innovative School Design

55:24 • 3min

Creating Collaborative Design Spaces

58:10 • 11min

Designing Experiential Spaces for Work and Learning

01:09:07 • 2min

Embracing Organizational Ecosystems

01:11:20 • 6min

The Interplay of Jobs and Personal Fulfillment

01:17:40 • 11min

Work for Humans has always been about designing with the employee in mind, but many designers mistakenly focus on objects rather than the actions those objects should create. This leads to falling back on traditional roles and routines when there is actually more choice out there. Inspired by the power of designing for action instead of things, WFH connected with Stephanie Gioia and Melanie Kahl—two design strategists dedicated to human-centered organizational design. Together, they’re creating a pattern language library, offering a resource that encourages more choice and innovation to all designers.

In this episode, Dart, Stephanie, and Melanie discuss:
- Human-centered organizational design practice
- Pattern language in design
- Designing for verbs instead of things
- What is designable and what isn’t
- 5 key categories of pattern language
- Design lessons from education and biological systems
- Holding spaces for participatory design
- And other topics…

Stephanie Gioia is a partner and lead design strategist at Future Work Design, a firm dedicated to transforming workplaces through innovative design. With over 15 years of experience in consulting and education, she specializes in organizational design and human-centered practices. Stephanie also serves as the Lab Director of EitherOrg and as an Executive MBA instructor at the University of Oregon, where she furthers her commitment to participatory design and systemic change.

Melanie Kahl is an innovation leader and strategist with over 15 years of experience designing programs and spaces that foster human flourishing. She previously launched Meta's first Community-in-Residence program and led projects with global organizations like the Gates Foundation and USAID. Melanie holds a degree from Northwestern University and is an adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts and the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design.

Resources mentioned:
Seeing Like a State, by James Scott: https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-like-State-Certain-Condition/dp/0300078153
A Pattern Language, by Christopher Alexander: https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Language-Buildings-Construction-Environmental/dp/0195019199
Dark Matter Labs: https://darkmatterlabs.org/
The Edge of the Sea, by Rachel Carson: https://www.amazon.com/Edge-Sea-Rachel-Carson/dp/0395924960

Connect with Stephanie & Melanie:
www.futurework.design
www.eitherorg.org
Stephanie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniegioia/
www.MelanieKahl.com
Melanie’s Instagram: @melanie_kahl
Melanie’s X: @melaniekahl

Work with Dart:
Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.