Aynne Valencia is an expert in design and former Chair of the interaction design program at the California College of the Arts. In this conversation, she compares the rhythms of design across private, civic, and educational sectors. Aynne shares her 18-year career journey, emphasizing patience and collaboration. She addresses long-term versus quick decision-making in design, highlighting the impact of governance on digital services. The discussion also critiques rapid design practices, urging designers to prioritize societal benefits.

My guest today is Nicholas Paul Brysiewicz, the director of development of the Long Now Foundation in San Francisco, CA. The Foundation was created to foster long-term thinking, and in this conversation, Nick and I talk about how a broader time perspective can help us understand difficult times and lay the groundwork for a better future.A note about context: We recorded this conversation in early March of 2020, before the coronavirus had been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and a national emergency by the U.S. government. I’m certain our tone would’ve been more somber if we were talking about this subject closer to the date of publication. Still, I find that adopting a broader perspective helps me make more level-headed decisions, especially during difficult times. Finally, please heed the advice of medical experts and avoid social places like The Interval for the time being.Listen to the full conversation Show notesThe Long Now FoundationThe 10,000 Year ClockThe Rosetta ProjectRevive & RestoreLong BetsThe Interval, San Francisco, CASeminars About Long-term ThinkingU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)World Health Organization (WHO)Elon MuskQasem SoleimaniHerodotusThe Greco-Persian WarsThe Landmark Herodotus: The HistoriesThe Republic of Plato, translated by Allan BloomProfessor Elizabeth Vandiver, Ph.D.The Great Courses Herodotus: The Father of HistoryIan McKellenThe Odyssey audiobook, narrated by Ian McKellenGame of ThronesSome show notes may include Amazon affiliate links. I get a small commission for purchases made through these links.

My guest today is Christian Crumlish. Christian has led product and design teams in organizations ranging from startups to large tech companies. In this conversation, we delve into the relationship between digital product management and information architecture, and how we might be more empowered as users of these systems.Listen to the full conversation Show notesChristian Crumlish (mediajunkie.com)Dungeons and DragonsPaladinYahoo!Design in Product Slack communityRichard Saul WurmanUnderstanding Context: Environment, Language, and Information Architecture by Andrew HintonPervasive Information Architecture: Designing Cross-Channel User Experiences by Andrea Resmini and Luca RosatiReframing Information Architecture by Andrea Resmini (Editor)Information Architecture for the Web and Beyond by Louis Rosenfeld, Peter Morville, and Jorge ArangoLiving in Information: Responsible Design for Digital Places by Jorge ArangoInspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love, Second Edition by Marty CaganShape Up: Stop Running in Circles and Ship Work That Matters by Ryan SingerBasecampObjectives and key results (OKRs)Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World With OKRs by John DoerrAmazon KindleMatte ScheinkerAirtableAsanaTinderboxThe Informed Life Episode 6: Beck Tench on TinderboxNotionWikisFrom UX to Product (Christian’s video series in the UIE All You Can Learn Library)The Information Architecture ConferenceWeb Directions ProductSome show notes may include Amazon affiliate links. I get a small commission for purchases made through these links.

My guest today is Maria Giudice. Maria founded Hot Studio, a design consultancy that was acquired by Facebook in 2013. After leaving Facebook, she served as VP of Design at Autodesk. In this conversation, Maria reveals how she found her purpose, and shares with us the exciting next stage of her career.Listen to the full conversation Show notesMaria Giudice on LinkedInMaria Giudice on FacebookHot StudioRichard Saul WurmanInformation Architects by Richard Saul WurmanCooper UnionFortranMassimo VignelliThe yellow pagesCCACartographyMacintosh IIciAdobe PhotoshopAdobe IllustratorTimes New RomanHelveticaMosaic web browserNetscapeFrank FrazettaItalic scriptThe Speedball Textbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Pen and Brush Lettering by Joanne FinkAutodeskClement MokThe Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David BrooksRise of the DEO: Leadership by Design by Maria Giudice and Christopher IrelandRise of the DEO posts in MediumSome show notes may include Amazon affiliate links. I get a small commission for purchases made through these links.

My guest today is Peter Merholz. Peter is one of the co-founders of the pioneering UX design consultancy Adaptive Path, now part of Capital One. After leaving Adaptive Path, he has structured and led design teams in various organizations. Peter and his co-author, Kristin Skinner, wrote Org Design for Design Orgs, the book on how to organize design teams. In this episode, we discuss how the structure of organizations influences their customer’s experiences.Listen to the full conversation https://theinformeddotlife.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/the-informed-life-episode-28-peter-merholz-2.mp3 Show notesPeterMerholz.com@peterme on TwitterAdaptive PathOrg Design for Design Orgs: Building and Managing In-House Design Teams by Peter Merholz and Kristin Skinner Liftoff: Practical Design Leadership to Elevate Your Team, Your Organization, and You by Chris Avore and Russ Unger The Informed Life Episode 22: Andrea Mignolo on Designerly Ways of BeingIDEOTim Brown The Double DiamondConway’s LawOrganization in the Way: How Decentralization Hobbles the User Experience by Peter MerholzMacGuffinShopifyForrester ResearchKristin Skinner

My guest today is Cyd Harrell. Cyd is a product, service design, and user research leader focused on the civic and government space. In this conversation, we discuss the differences between designing for civic and commercial projects and what it takes to design respectful systems that stand the test of time.Listen to the full conversation https://theinformeddotlife.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/the-informed-life-episode-27-cyd-harrell-1.mp3 Show notesCyd Harrell on TwitterCenter for Civic DesignCode for America18FCalifornia CourtsCanUXUX for Institutions (Cyd’s design deck from CanUX 2019)A sketchnote of Cyd’s presentation by Eva-Lotta LammThe Constitution of the United StatesTim O’ReillyJorge’s pace layer diagramLiving in Information: Responsible Design for Digital Places by Jorge ArangoPace Layering: How Complex Systems Keep Growing and Learning by Stewart BrandHow Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built by Stewart Brand L.A. libraries will stop collecting late fees for overdue books and other materials (Los Angeles Times)Asimov’s Laws of Robotics

My guest today is Andrew Hinton. Andrew has worked in the digital design field for two decades. He’s one of the founders of the Information Architecture Institute and author of the book Understanding Context. In this conversation, you’ll learn about the foundations of information architecture and why Andrew thinks of himself as a “radical information architect.”Listen to the full conversation https://theinformeddotlife.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/the-informed-life-episode-26-andrew-hinton.mp3 Show notesAndrew HintonHelix (database)Understanding Context: Environment, Language, and Information Architecture by Andrew HintonThe Information Architecture InstituteThe Information Architecture ConferenceThe Informed Life Episode 21: Vanessa Foss on Event PlanningShared Information Environment: let’s unpack that, shall we? by Andrew HintonMUDInteractive fiction (e.g. text adventure games)World of WarcraftO’Reilly MediaPeter MorvilleEcological psychologyJames J. Gibson & Eleanor J. GibsonPhlogistonThe Copernican RevolutionCartesianismPlay-DohContextual inquiryService designEcosystem MapBodystorming Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)The Informed Life Episode 15: Jeff Sussna on CyberneticsNorbert WienerClaude ShannonDue appApple’s Reminders appSteve Jobs: “Computers are like a bicycle for our minds”The Mother of All DemosDoug Englebart

Mary Parks, an expert in communications and applied linguistics, dives into the world of voice user interfaces, sharing two decades of design experience. She discusses the intricate workings of these systems, including how they categorize user commands and the challenges they face in understanding intent. Mary reflects on the humorous side of voice interactions, sharing relatable blunders, and touches on the complexities of identity in voice technology. Her insights reveal the fascinating blend of linguistics and technology in shaping our digital communication.

My guest today is Michael J. Metts. Michael designs digital products and services, with a focus on the impact of writing on the user’s experience. He and co-author Andy Welfle have written a new book on this subject. In this conversation, Michael and I discuss the relationship between writing and design, and how being more aware of how we use language can make us more effective.Show notesMichael J. Metts on TwitterMichael J. Metts on LinkedInMichael J. Metts on InstagramMichael’s blogWriting is Designing: Words and the User Experience, by Michael J. Metts & Andy WelfleCard sortingTree testingThe Informed Life Episode 11: Lisa Welchman on GovernanceMicrosoft Word GOV.UK highlighter methodIA WriterUlyssesMarkdownSlack Microsoft TeamsDisclosure: I received Michael's book for free as a previous Rosenfeld Media/Two Waves author.

My guest today is Carol Smith. Carol is a user experience researcher at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Her focus is artificial intelligence, and prior to joining Carnegie Mellon, she worked for Uber’s Advanced Technology Group and IBM Watson. In this conversation, we discuss the benefits and limitations of artificial intelligence — and machine learning, more specifically – for our day-to-day information management.Listen to the full conversation https://theinformeddotlife.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/the-informed-life-episode-23-carol-smith-2.mp3 Show notesCarol Smith on TwitterCarol Smith on LinkedInCarnegie Mellon University Software Engineering InstituteAlphaGoGmailMulti-factor authentication