Design is Everywhere

What components make up good hospitality? On this week’s episode, we are looking at the decisions seen and unseen that make a hospitality experience captivating, seamless, and truly elevate travel. Sam is joined by Denise Korn, the Founder and Creative Director of Yellow&, a dynamic creative consultancy that brings together the power of a multi-disciplinary mindset and bold talent with a fresh perspective. Denise talks about the design decisions behind thoughtful hospitality and immersing the local culture to the design. Later on in the show, they are joined by Bashar Wali, Chief Executive Officer at Practice Hospitality and the Founder of This Assembly. Bashar is a hospitality evangelist, hotel fanatic, deal maker, risk taker, and passionate leader. Together, they talk about the importance of listening to guests, what most hotels get right, what most hotels get wrong, and putting the consumer front and center. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: Hospitality Design that Takes Care of People

How can augmented reality shape the way humans interact? On this week’s episode, we talk about the future of augmented and mixed reality and the potential to change the way we interact with one another. Sam is joined by Gustavo Fontana, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Fresco Design, a forward-thinking product design studio. He shares how AR has shaped the Fresco Design process and the potential of this technology. Later on in the show, they are joined by Avraham Raskin, an Augmented Reality Designer and Founder and CEO of AR by A.R., which helps startups and individuals build augmented reality experiences into new or existing products. Together, they talk about AR in everyday experiences.  For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: Augmented Reality: Redefining the World as We Know It

What is the role of design thinking to health and risk communication, especially when audiences may be conflicted or disagree on ideological world views?Mad*Pow's Chief Design Strategy Officer, Jen Briselli, published a two part series titled Designing Science Communication that helps answer the question about the role of design in science communication. Sam is joined by Jen Briselli as guest co-host. Jen chats about design’s power for more effective science communication. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Professor of Public Health, Director of the Office of Public Health Practice, and Director of the Global Health Concentration at the Yale School of Public Health. Together, they talk about the U.S. response to the pandemic and the value of design thinking for science communication.  For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: The Role of Design for Better Science Communication

What is the designer’s role in the climate crisis? At Climate Designers, Sarah Harrison and her team use their creative skills for climate action and ask the question, “What if every designer were a climate designer?” In this week’s episode, we chat about how designers of all kinds can take climate action. Sam is joined by Sarah Harrison, Co-Founder of Climate Designers and The Determined. Sarah shares how she came to found Climate Designers with Marc O’Brien and the role of design in creating real climate action. Later on in the show, they are joined by Bobby Gill, Director of Development and Communications at Savory Institute, which uses holistic management to facilitate the large-scale regeneration of the world’s grasslands and the livelihoods of their inhabitants. Together, they talk about why it is important to regenerate the world’s grasslands and how the Savory Institute uses Holistic Management.  For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: Designing in Nature’s Image

How can architecture reflect the needs of a community? In this week’s episode, we chat about the social impact of architecture that creates social awareness in the built environment. Sam is joined by David Silverman, Principal at Silverman Trykowski Associates, an imaginative architecture and design studio that designs for wellbeing. David shares examples of this work and the importance of including the community in the conversation. Later on in the show, they are joined by Pascale Sablan, Founder & Executive Director of Beyond the Built Environment, activist, mentor, and 2021 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Recipient, an award that distinguishes an architect or architectural organization that embodies social responsibility and actively addresses a relevant issue, such as affordable housing, inclusiveness, or universal access. Together, they talk about what social impact architecture is, what it looks like, and how it can impact a community. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: The Responsibility of Architecture

This episode originally aired on April 15, 2021. How do designers craft robots to make life easier and better for humans? In this episode, Sam is joined by Betsy Goodrich, the Vice President of Design and Co-founder at Manta to chat about the design of complex robots that help people. Betsy shares how she founded Manta, her product design process, and how designers test out scenarios for robot design. Later on in the show, they are joined by Rick Hoobler, the Senior Director of Design at iRobot. Rick shares his background and what led him to robot design. Together, they discuss their various robot design projects, the way robots can help make cleaning better and easier, and they each share their favorite robots portrayed in the media. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: From the Archive: Making Your Home Smarter: Robot Design for Humans

What steps can help achieve more work-life fulfillment? In this week’s episode, we learn about cultivating happiness at work. According to statistics by Career Vision, ​​across America, only 45 percent of workers say they are either satisfied or extremely satisfied with their jobs. Sam is joined by Ginger Dhaliwal, Co-Founder at Upflex, a coworking space that provides instant workspace access anywhere and anytime, allowing teams to work better, happier, and more conveniently. Ginger shares more about founding Upflex and how to create moments of belonging in work culture. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Tracy Brower, the author of “The Secrets to Happiness at Work"” and “Bring Work to Life” where she empowers people to create and choose the conditions for happiness, wellbeing, fulfillment and success. Together, they discuss common misconceptions about happiness at work and the components that influence work-life fulfillment. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: Navigating Work-Life Fulfillment

What role should work play in one’s identity? In this week’s episode, we learn about designing a holistic approach towards work and life. In Jai Chakrabarti’s article for Fast Company, “Embracing the whole you: You are more than your job,” Jai talks about the experience of quitting his role as a technologist to pursue his MFA in Creative Writing. He writes, “There is no linear life, at least I haven’t found one I’d wish to live. Rather there are the meandering paths, all the pursuits of beauty that reward us with their own vistas of the world underneath.” Sam is joined by Jai Chakrabarti to learn more about the impetus behind his Fast Company article and the balance of work and life. Later on in the show, they are joined by Dr. Melissa Steach, an award-winning artist and bestselling author who became an industrial-organizational psychologist in order to make work well. As part of MillerKnoll's Workplace Performance Network, Melissa consults business leaders on how to leverage macro-ergonomics and workplace well-being to positively impact team dynamics and business strategy. Together, they discuss the importance of trust, authentic conversations, and work that helps satisfy the spirit.  For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:  Designing for Work and Life that Satisfies your Spirit

How can design rethink the common space to serve the common good? In this week’s episode, we learn about designing common spaces for the common good. Sam is joined by Ron Mallis, Executive Director of BostonAPP/Lab, which serves as an incubator for new artistic collaborations throughout Greater Boston’s public spaces. CommonSpace/CommonGood is an initiative developed by BostonAPP/Lab in collaboration with Hoverlay, and with inputs and recommendations from Operation P.E.A.C.E. and the Fenway Community Center. Ron talks about his work and seeking ways to build on the voices of neighborhood residents to conceive, design, and implement art for a neighborhood. Later on in the show, they are joined by Daniel Callahan, multimedia artist, designer, and president of Roxbury Cultural District. Together, they discuss how they view the role of public art to transform the ways in which people use and think about public space. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page:  Common Space for the People, by the People

This episode originally aired on May 13, 2021. How do you design for a healthier mindfulness routine? In this episode, Sam learns more about how to design a mindfulness and gratitude routine that is practical, helpful, and consistent. Sam chats with Tracy Swyst, a Design Operations Consultant, Producer, and a member of Design Museum Everywhere’s Board of Directors. Tracy shares her mindfulness and gratitude routine and how she began her own mindfulness practices. Later on in the show, they are joined by Rahul Kulkarni, the CEO and co-founder of Sukhi. Together, they chat about mindfulness, emotional pulse checks, and how companies can incorporate mindfulness practices. For links to resources we discuss on this episode, visit our show page: From the Archive: Designing for Mindfulness and Gratitude