Explore DesignShifts
Here, you’ll find the DesignShifts we’re exploring both in theory and in practice. Each topic explores Shifting the posture, power, perspective, practice, and the purpose of design.
DesignShift: From Architects of Distraction to Stewards of Attention
The world is on fire, and our interfaces are still asking people to “swipe to buy.”
For decades, we, designers have been the architects of distraction. We've optimized for convenience, for frictionless experiences, for the path of least resistance. “Good design,” we’ve said, “doesn’t make you think.”
But in an age of interconnected crises—ecological collapse, social fragmentation, and spiritual emptiness—we must ask ourselves:
What if the ease we've designed for has made it too easy to ignore what demands our attention?
What if the design we've celebrated has accelerated our collective crisis?
What if the metrics we've optimized for have measured everything except what truly matters?
DesignShift: From Artificial to Authentic
I pasted an Oscar Wilde quote into Notion the other day. As soon as I did, the Ai symbol popped up with the “improve writing” suggestion.
I didn’t click it, but it made me think…If Oscar Wilde was alive today, would he too have been lured to change his words with Ai? Would he have trusted Ai more than his creative intuition?
Ai would most likely have edited Wilde's voice and words by removing “unnecessary” words and simplifying sentences. But would it have been an improvement? If his work is no longer in his voice, how can we say it’s better?
DesignShift: from artificial to authentic
DesignShift: From Creating Things to Creating Change
What is the role of designers in a world that does not need more things? Our work is evolving and as we face climate and social breakdown, and we must take the time to evaluate our profession and purpose. How can we make sure that our work does not contribute negatively to an already hurting planet? How can we shift our focus from creating things to creating change?
DesignShift: from creating things to creating change.
DesignShift: From Creating For/From The Intellectual Mind to Creating For/From The Living body
Good design should be about creating multi-sensory experiences. However, today, as designers are asked to prove their worth through spreadsheets and numbers, our work is often reduced to what can be shown or explained using rational thinking.
It seems like we’ve forgotten what it means to engage with the parts of our bodies that can’t be seen on a Zoom call. It seems like we’ve forgotten that feelings that live in our bodies are central to how we engage with the world and other people.
DesignShift: From creating for/from the intellectual mind to creating for/from the living body.
Let’s shift together
No one knows it all. Together we know a lot. See a Shift that aligns with your current work or passion? What to co-write a shift or host a collaboration session? I would love to connect.