Projects & Initiatives
King County + NextCycle
Convener, Designer + Strategist
In partnership with Kamal Patel as Traversal
traversal.design
2020–2022
In partnership with Kamal Patel as Traversal
traversal.design
2020–2022
As Traversal, we practiced strategic design, systems thinking, and participatory approaches to explore equitable support for Washington State’s circular economy, specifically through an adaptation of the NextCycle grant and business accelerator program.
Kamal and I convened a series of co-design sessions to build trust and get input from community-based organizations and folks working in the circular economy, to better understand the gaps and inequities of existing support. This work resulted in six opportunity (“how may we”) statements that overlaid a program blueprint, guiding implementation of of tactics and strategies for NextCycle Washington.
Kamal and I convened a series of co-design sessions to build trust and get input from community-based organizations and folks working in the circular economy, to better understand the gaps and inequities of existing support. This work resulted in six opportunity (“how may we”) statements that overlaid a program blueprint, guiding implementation of of tactics and strategies for NextCycle Washington.
We continued to work within the six opportunity areas by providing design, strategy, and facilitation through the first iteration of the program’s grant and accelerator offerings.
A few of the most impactful tactics included creation of a governance program prioritizing community representation, research around accessible communications and language support, and developing a partnership network.
A few of the most impactful tactics included creation of a governance program prioritizing community representation, research around accessible communications and language support, and developing a partnership network.
Links:
➔ Co-Design Public Session (video)
Common Cause Collective
Common Cause Collective stems from the idea that resources and knowledge are best utilized when shared, and that designers can have more impact when working together across disciplines and with affected communities.
In 2019 we created a series of highly successful events around The Responsibility of Design. We started with an inspiring lecture by Albert Shum of Microsoft, held a night of guided conversations, and ended with a Transition Design workshop introducing new tools and terminology to a room of designers eager to challenge wicked problems like plastic pollution.
In 2019 we created a series of highly successful events around The Responsibility of Design. We started with an inspiring lecture by Albert Shum of Microsoft, held a night of guided conversations, and ended with a Transition Design workshop introducing new tools and terminology to a room of designers eager to challenge wicked problems like plastic pollution.
In 2023, we’ve centered around systems thinking for designers, with a series of events based on Sheryl Cababa’s new book, Closing the Loop.
Links:
AIGA Seattle Changemaker Series
The AIGA Seattle Changemaker Series was created in 2015 in response to the local design community’s interest in using their skills to make real change.
Each year focused on a different topic, with around six local organizations participating as clients, who each got a volunteer creative team complete with project manager. In May, teams were introduced and led through a 3-day design thinking workshop, and then continued working through a variety of check-ins until they presented their work at the end of the summer.
Each year focused on a different topic, with around six local organizations participating as clients, who each got a volunteer creative team complete with project manager. In May, teams were introduced and led through a 3-day design thinking workshop, and then continued working through a variety of check-ins until they presented their work at the end of the summer.
Participating organizations benefited from strategic work, and saw firsthand the value and power of design. Creatives had an opportunity to put their passion to work for organizations in need, and several were inspired to make job changes into the nonprofit world after completing the series.
AIGA chapters around the country introduced it into their communities, and continued to serve Seattle organizations through 2020.
AIGA chapters around the country introduced it into their communities, and continued to serve Seattle organizations through 2020.
Links:
➔ Changemaker Series 2016 (video)
