Creating a safe space for “yes and…” — The ultimate rule of brainstorming is that there are no bad ideas in brainstorming. However, I have found myself in a room with both non-designers and designers who don’t seem to be very good at following this rule. And that can be natural: an idea that isn’t feasible may seem…

The one trick that made all the cliché advice actually work. — Oh no! Another insomnia guide? I’ve already read a dozen of those. I’ve cut caffeine, exercised more, and even started eating turkey for dinner every night. Don’t even mention meditation. I’ve tried that and it doesn’t help either. Like many other insomniacs, I did try meditating, therapy, and cutting out…

A report produced for the Linux Foundation outlining the design criteria for both a digital and physical vaccine credential. — As vaccines started to become available, a major question began to pop up: will businesses require proof of vaccination status? Immediately post-vaccination, you were handed a small, handwritten card with your name and vaccination dates. In a matter of weeks, individuals who did not wish to receive the vaccine began…

The skills that weren’t lost after a career change. — A year ago, I shared how I made the leap from engineering to experience design. This career change was such a profound moment in my life, it wasn’t until the adrenaline settled that I did feel some resentment for spending 8 years of my life studying and practicing engineering. …

It’s not the screen that’s harmful, it’s how you use it that matters. — This article is part 1 of 3 in explaining the design process of developing a kid’s digital play experience. I remember when I was 7 years old I clutched a small, bright red, egg-shaped key chain while walking single file in a line of other 7 years old on our…

And how it can be applied to management styles. — I spent the majority of my last semester of undergrad interviewing for jobs. After 24 interviews and 13 companies, I left with some interesting experiences. One interview was a two-day long event with 24 interviewees competing for 10 spots. Part of the interview involved doing “team-building” activities for 4 hours…while…

From realizing I needed a change, to how I got there. — I walk into work with my eyes still half-closed. I make my way to my cubicle and sit down at my computer. By mid-morning, a light pressure creeps into my chest. An aching headache slowly forms a band around my temples. I should’ve gotten more sleep last night, I think…

How to have these hard conversations. — There’s no doubt that the last few weeks have been extraordinary. We have arguably seen the most collective vigor and support ever generated for a movement since the Civil Rights era. I know many others, like myself, have started diving into books about the history and experiences of Blacks in…

Advice to avoid while navigating your 20s — I received a lot of advice in the first few years of my career. For the most part, it was beneficial — coming from older co-workers who had seen at all. But between the good, there was a lot of bad advice. I learned how to sift through the advice…