Paper Giant

This think piece is the first in my series on Intersectionality and Design! I am very excited to be sharing my thoughts on this and taking up space on your feed. To mark this occasion I also set up a Medium account, which will house these thoughts and more in future! The next pieces in the series will be about useful metaphors for explaining intersectionality, and then some thoughts on making better personas that champion intersectional complexity (in simple ways). So give that a follow if you are a Medium user (because right now I have a big 0 donut of medium followers and its hurting my millennial heart) https://lnkd.in/e6tHiH44 And just to give you a taster on my current hot take: "A truly intersectional approach involves examining the specific ways identity and context intersect for that particular service or audience. It seeks to engage participants who have multiple identities at these intersections in order to better understand how these complex catalysts of identity affect the service experience. A checkbox mentality falls short of capturing the true essence of intersectionality, rendering it a hollow exercise in diversity rather than a tool for transformative change." More to come.

Intersectionality is more than just a buzzword; it’s about understanding how different parts of our identity–like race, gender, and class—blend to shape our experiences with privilege and oppression. But as this idea moves from theory into practice, it often gets simplified into just ticking off diversity boxes. True intersectional design isn’t just about checking off a list; it’s about getting to the heart of how these identities interact and influence one another. If you’re curious about moving beyond superficial efforts within intersectionality, read this latest piece by our Strategic Design Lead, Yen Eriksen. https://lnkd.in/gfBzpgkP #intersectionality #design #identity #communityengagement #research #socialidentity

This month's haiku was written with love by our Experience Design Principal, Hope Lumsden-Barry.

Xero asked us a question as old as time: What do people want? Our team pulled out the tools and delved deep into understanding not only what Xero's users need but also how they interact with other competitors across the globe. We used a mix of user interviews and competitive analysis to uncover insights about human behaviour and market trends and pinpoint what users were really looking for. After mapping out user pain points and preferences, we used that information to help Xero improve its offerings and stay ahead in the market. See our full journey with Xero: https://lnkd.in/gkJ2VHaz #research #xero #casestudy #servicedesign #customerinsights

Book that hiking trip you've wanted to take for so long. Play that video game your friends have been raving about. Better yet, learn how to fix and repair that pile of clothes that's been sitting in your wardrobe for a while now. A change in routine can boost our mood (and confidence!) and allow us to reduce the stress of daily life. After all, we're humans; we thrive on discovery, learning, and connecting with others—all while having a good time doing so. #takeabreak

Ever wondered who the home-sellers of Australia really are? We partnered up with REA Group to find out firsthand. We dove deep into the motivations, experiences, and needs of property sellers nationwide. Through 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, we spoke with a mix of seasoned sellers and first-timers to uncover their challenges and aspirations. From these conversations, we created detailed journey maps to illustrate their selling experiences. Our research pinpointed two main types of sellers: those who rely on detailed market data to navigate their selling journey confidently and others who crave personalised guidance at every turn. For a deeper dive into our project findings, check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gQUvWmKW

How can an object truly engage with its environment? The team at Sungai Design in Indonesia has created something beautiful out of plastic waste plucked from Indonesia’s rivers. They’ve transformed what might otherwise be discarded into an aesthetic feature rather than just an afterthought. Every chair is made from 2,000 upcycled plastic bags, and to date, they have collected over 2,300,000 kg of plastic, 36% of which are plastic bags. But it’s more than just being green. Their designs intricately weave local cultures and natural landscapes into their work, creating pieces that are both innovative and deeply respectful of their surroundings. It’s a glimpse into a future where design doesn’t just coexist with the environment but actually enhances it. How can we start viewing all types of waste as a valuable resource for creating eco-solutions to meet global needs?

This month's haiku was written with love by our Strategic Design Lead, Lottie Greally.

How can mental health services adapt to meet the diverse needs of different community groups? Alfred Mental & Addiction Health (AMAH) is on a mission to improve mental health care by engaging staff and individuals with lived experiences. We teamed up with them to develop a transformative strategy that addresses the significant changes in Victoria's mental health system and the rapidly increasing demand for services. By bringing together a mix of voices through workshops and interviews, we created something that truly reflects the collective vision of AMAH's community. It's like weaving together threads from different perspectives to create a strong, unified fabric. It's a roadmap that sets clear goals for the next 3-5 years and builds on AMAH's strengths to drive innovation and improve care for a wider range of needs. Discover more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/gAPhnxi6

Designing an infographic may seem straightforward, but it's surprisingly complex. Our Experience Design Principal, Hope Lumsden-Barry, shares a written piece explaining the "Bart and Lisa approach” that can help unravel the complexities. For the Barts of this world, the design must be visually snappy, easy to grasp, and apt for quick info bites. On the other hand, the Lisas need a design rich in detail, deep with context, and offers new discoveries for deep thinkers. Read the article to understand how to strike a balance that caters to both ends of the spectrum. https://lnkd.in/gaRjN7yB #informationdesign