DESIGN THINKER PODCAST

Customer Experience (CX) is vital for businesses in the 21st century, but do we know what we mean when we say CX? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore CX. In this episode, you will • understand what CX is and what it is not • learn why CX is a vital aspect of business success • discover how to design and operationalize a winning CX 

9/3/24 • 59:35

Experience — a term that's become ubiquitous in business, but do we really know what we mean when we say Customer Experience, Employee Experience, Patient Experience, and the like? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the anatomy of an experience. In this episode, you will: • learn what is meant by experience • understand the macro and micro-moments that shape an experience • discover practice insights on designing an experience 

8/27/24 • 50:47

Emotions are central to the human experience, influencing every aspect of our personal, professional, and social lives. They are complex and multifaceted, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world. Research suggests that up to 95% of our decisions are driven by emotions, underscoring their powerful impact on our choices. In this episode, you will: • understand the definition of emotions • discover the role of emotions in designing solutions • learn about frameworks and tools to explore and navigate emotions 

8/20/24 • 35:56

Have you heard of BANI? Are you ready for it? The term VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) was coined in the 1980s to describe the context of the world. Four decades later, is this term still relevant? The term BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) was coined in 2020 to describe the current environment. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore BANI. In this episode, you will• learn about the concept of BANI • understand the relevance of Design Thinker capabilities in a BANI world • get practical tips on applying Design Thinker capabilities

7/24/24 • 61:35

What are the ethical obligations of design research? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the importance of informed consent when doing design research. From historical examples like the Tukaseegee experiments to contemporary design research, this episode explains why it is important for participants to fully understand their involvement in any research activity. In this episode, you will • understand the ethical obligations when carrying out design research • learn the "how-tos" of informed consent, including the key topics that need to be covered • hear real-life examples of how to customize the informed consent process so it is fit for the purpose 

5/28/24 • 51:11

What is discovery work? How does it help reduce risk and deliver better outcomes? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter dive into the "how-to" of discovery work to explain what it is, why it is important, and tips on how to get started. In this episode, you will • discover the importance of discovery work • learn how to get started with discovery• hear stories of how discovery work has influenced the outcome of projects

5/19/24 • 45:16

How might we use privacy law to build trust with customers? Often regulations are viewed as an obligation, something organizations need to comply with to stay out of legal trouble. However, what if regulations can be more than that? What if regulations can provide us a way to build trust and create better experiences for customers? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Rali Andreeva, a thought leader who helps organizations demystify privacy to improve customer experience.In this episode, you will• understand the intent of privacy law• discover how to build customer trust with privacy• learn simple ways to get startedAbout Our Guest Rali helps teams simplify privacy, mitigate risks, and build trust by embedding privacy in the customer experience. With 20+ years of marketing, loyalty, and data and insights experience across retail, FMCG, and banking, she brings a customer and business perspective to an area often dominated by legal and compliance expertise. She speaks at events, runs training sessions and facilitates workshops, as well as providing coaching for senior leaders and teams. You can connect with Rali on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralica-andreeva/

5/12/24 • 40:14

Over the past several years, the relevance of design thinking has come under scrutiny. Is it a fad that has run its course? Is design thinking still useful? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter dive into these questions.In this episode, you will• explore how design thinking has evolved over the years• learn about what is working and what is not• discover what needs to happen next

5/5/24 • 38:27

Organizational tensions are inevitable and become increasingly complex as organizations scale. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter discuss the three most common organizational tensions and strategies for navigating them. In this episode, you will• discover the three most common organizational tensions that keep teams stuck • learn how to leverage Design Thinker Capabilities to navigate organizational tensions • understand the benefits and pitfalls of tensions 

4/22/24 • 62:01

Context plays a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the world. From everyday conversations to pondering the meaning of life, context is at the center of meaning-making. An action that might seem irrational can be perfectly reasonable when you understand the context. What does context mean for Design Thinkers? Why is it important to the practice of Design Thinking? Join Dr Dani and Designer Pete as they explore the meaning of context for design work. In this episode, you will • learn how to define context • know the importance of context in solving problems • understand how context applies to design thinking 

3/17/24 • 43:51

Design Thinking, where did it come from? How is it being used today? What will its purpose be in the future? Join Dr Dani and Designer Peter as they delve into the history of Design Thinking and explore its prospects. In this episode, you will • Learn about the roots of Design Thinking • Hear stories of how Design Thinking is being applied today • Understand the future potential of Design Thinking 

3/1/24 • 54:29

What is Design Thinking? In this back-to-basics episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter define Design Thinking. In this episode, you will • learn about how Design Thinking is defined • understand why Design Thinking is important • hear examples of how Design Thinking can help 

2/23/24 • 35:59

Do you struggle with accepting failure as an opportunity for growth? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Life and Business Coach Chris Taylor, author of the book Avoiding Propeller Blades.  In this episode, you will • learn the power of accepting failure as an inevitability when trying something new • hear stories about how quickly recovering from failure led to personal and professional growth • understand the importance of reframing failure for success About Our Guest Chris Taylor is a Life and Business Coach who works with leaders to overcome barriers holding them back. Raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, a Geordie. On leaving school, he put his tail on the donkey of engineering and obtained two engineering degrees in chemical and environmental engineering. He worked as an engineer and manager for international consulting firms in the UK before immigrating to New Zealand in 2003. His move to New Zealand was accompanied by a career change from engineering to coaching. In 2024, Chris published his first book, Avoiding Propeller Blades. To learn more about Chris and get your copy of his book visit: https://avoidingpropellerblades.com/

2/15/24 • 65:53

How do you know the best way to get others to resonate with the story you want to tell? In the final episode of our series on storytelling, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the three modes of storytelling; oral, visual, and written. In this episode, you will • learn about the three modes of storytelling • understand how to select the right mode for the right audience • hear examples of how to tailor your story for the audience

1/24/24 • 33:29

Storytelling is everywhere. It shapes the culture of our families, social groups, and organizations. In part two of our series on storytelling, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore how stories can motivate action in organizations. In this episode, you will • hear about how the stories we share shape culture • understand how stories inspire action • learn about different storytelling frameworks 

1/17/24 • 62:07

Ever wonder how the stories you tell yourself might be holding you back? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore how the stories we tell ourselves might be holding us back from designing solutions. In this episode, you will • hear examples of the stories we repeat to ourselves that keep us stuck• understand how to identify the stories that are no longer serving you • learn how to reframe the stories we tell ourselves so they help you move forward 

1/9/24 • 39:58

The third of a three-part series on the three lenses of design thinking, this episode explores the desirability lens. In this episode, you will be able to understand what desirability means and why it is important learn the techniques Design Thinkers use to identify desirability hear real-world examples of how to put desirability into practice So, let's dive in to explore how the desirability lens helps to create solutions that people will actually buy. 

12/12/23 • 58:43

The second of a three-part series on the three lenses of design thinking, this episode explores the viability lens. In this episode, you will be able to understand the key questions to consider when assessing a solution for viability learn how the viability lens contributes to better solutions hear real-world examples of applying the viability lens So, let's dive in to explore how to apply the viability lens to create better solutions. 

12/5/23 • 48:53

The first of a three-part series on the three lenses of design thinking, this episode explores the feasibility lens. Join Dr Dani and Designer Peter as they take an in-depth look at feasibility. In this episode, you will be able to • learn about the five components of feasibility • understand how ignoring feasibility can lead to impractical solutions • hear real-world examples of the feasibility lens in action From theory to practice, let's dive into how to bring bold ideas into existence through the feasibility lens. 

11/27/23 • 40:06

Empathetic Exploration, are you using this capability to deliver what customers really want? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter take a deep dive into understanding the specific way that design thinkers use empathy. In this episode, you will be able to learn about the research that informs how design thinkers use empathyunderstand the importance of Empathetic Exploration when developing solutionsknow how to apply Empathetic Exploration in your work hear real-world examples of Empathetic Exploration in action From improving patient care in hospitals to organizing your kitchen, Empathetic Exploration has practical and impactful implications for solving problems. Tune-in to discover how Empathetic Exploration can be a game-changer for you. 

7/19/23 • 53:13

Ever wondered how AI will transform human-centered design? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore this question, raising their own concerns and curiosities about how AI will change the landscape for human-centered design.  Key questions explored in this episode could AI create solutions that serve them and not us?will AI make us dumber not smarter?would AI free us up to do more meaningful work?Beyond just the technical implications of AI, this discussion explores the need to rethink our practices, question our biases, and how AI and human creativity can work hand in hand. 

7/12/23 • 51:23

Discover the reasons behind organizations' struggles to scale design thinking in this episode of the Design Thinker Podcast. Join Dr Dani and Dsigner Peter as they explore both research findings and their own experiences in the field, providing valuable insights on how organizations can avoid common challenges and successfully scale design thinking. Understand the common challenges organizations face when trying to scale design thinking Learn what you need to do so your investment in design thinking training doesn't go to waste 

7/5/23 • 49:45

In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter chat with Strategy & Experience Designer, Jason Osburn. Learn how a love of comedy and fear of public speaking lead to a career in design. About Our GuestJason Osburn is a human-centered designer with over 20 years of experience whose passion sits at the intersection of design, storytelling, technology, and entrepreneurship. He has a proven track record of elevating ideas and architecting experiences that create connections, inspires action, and deliver value. Throughout his career, he has designed and delivered innovative, award-winning experiences for startups to Fortune 100 companies. He genuinely believes design is the key to a better future for all and has a deep admiration for people coming together to create something bigger than themselves in service of others.Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonosburn/Learn More About Jason at: https://www.jasonosburn.com/

6/29/23 • 59:32

Optimism is essential to problem-solving, but it's not just about seeing the good, we have to understand the constraints. In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter take a deep dive into Situation Optimizing to explore what it is and why it is important, and how it shows up in problem-solving. 

6/13/23 • 49:24

Curious Experimentation, learning in action. How do we respond to a problem when there isn't a clear cut answer? This is where the Design Thinker's mindset of curious experimentation can help us get unstuck. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete unpack what it means to be a curious experimenter and how to put this mindset to practice in your work. 

2/17/23 • 39:34

Visual Communication when words fail us. Have you ever had an experience where words failed you? In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter talk about how visuals can save us when words fail us. If you think you aren't a visual communicator, this is the episode you need to hear. Dr. Dani shares insights from her research and how visually communicating isn't about pretty pictures but is part of our innate ability to communicate. Get their go-to tips for getting started with visually communicating. 

2/5/23 • 48:11

Welcome back listeners! In this episode, we talk about the power of keeping going. Getting started is vital, but we can’t just stop there. We have to keep continuously improving through iteration. Tune in to learn how to enable follow-up action by giving ourselves permission to fail.

1/15/23 • 47:02

In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter talk about the power of getting started. Hear how this concept was put into practice in the making of the Design Thinker Podcast season 1.

9/20/22 • 39:16

In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete take a deep dive into how creativity, innovation, and risk management influence each other to understand how they might come together to create better, more impactful solutions.

9/1/22 • 55:56

Artists and Designers, how are they different? In this week’s episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete dive into the differences between the work of artists and designers.

9/1/22 • 45:47