• How might we improve the digital customer experience for arriving immigrants?

  • What if an insulin starter system supported patients in the first week of treatment?

  • What if we tried novel approaches to trash and recycling in Boston's densest neighborhoods?

  • How might we redesign a historic media product for modern consumers?

Every project begins with a question. Here are a few I explored as a Design Researcher at IDEO.

observation outside museum

Observation prior to mock identity redesign

observation on trash day

Observation on trash day in Boston

first hand observation

Becoming a user myself creates empathy through first hand experience.

Research provides both inspiration and context for design.

The human-centered approach draws on observations and in-depth interviews with a small number of carefully selected participants.

Looking beyond competitors to analogous industries is also important. An industry leader from a different field may support people in ways that are original, applicable and inspiring.

Strategy makes sense of the scattered research.

Overarching insights emerge from the research. Frameworks, such as journey maps, are helpful in highlighting opportunities to improve an experience. This featured project on parenting combines research insights and visualizations.