How do you create space for your identity in design? Join Lesley-Ann Noel, an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Design Studies at North Carolina State University, as she brings us along her entire design journey—from her first encounters with design education, creating the Designer's Critical Alphabet, and recently, The Little Book of Designer's Existential Crises in 2022. Lesley brings an expansive lens to practice design through emancipatory, critical, and anti-hegemonic lenses to center those who are often excluded from research. She advocates for critical awareness in design, and sits as co-Chair of the Pluriversal Design Special Interest Group within the Design Research Society.Watch the video version on YoutubeTune in to hear Lesley's perspective on:Her "I'm a designer" moment as a young studentCritical thinking in design and design educationIf you’re not in existential crisis as a designer in 2022, maybe you’re not doing it right!Creating A Designer's Critical Alphabet card deckThe Anti-design movementTransactional design researchEntering design and challenging itLesley's shoutouts:A Designer's Critical AlphabetThe Little Book of Designer’s Existential Crises in 2022Pluriversal Design, Design Research SocietyFollow Lesley!Website: https://lesleyannnoel.wixsite.com/websiteLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleyannnoel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesleyannnoel/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mamaazureTechnical Difficulties is hosted by Liz Gerber and produced by Lauren Lin & Gilli Nieh. Special thanks to the Alumnae of Northwestern and Northwestern’s Center for HCI + Design.

What does "code is power" mean through a technology, design, and justice lens? Join Amy Ko, Professor at the University of Washington Information School, as she recounts her adventures in human-computer interaction, the tech startup world, and academia. She is a leader in computer science education with over 100 published papers and recognition from the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery). Amy researches computing to harness it for play, power, and equity for more technologically just futures.Watch the video version on YoutubeTune in to hear Amy's perspective on:- What sparked her interest in human-computer interaction (HCI)- Moving fast and breaking things(?)- The startup scene as Chief Technology Officer (CTO)- Beta release labels are an accountability excuse- Critically conscious computing- Creative codingAmy's shoutouts:Critically Conscious Computing bookFollow Amy!Faculty website: https://faculty.washington.edu/ajkoTwitter: @amyjkoTechnical Difficulties is hosted by Liz Gerber and produced by Lauren Lin & Gilli Nieh. Special thanks to the Alumnae of Northwestern and Northwestern’s Center for HCI + Design.

How does one become a Managing Director of Play? Join Michelle Lee, Partner and Managing Director at IDEO, as she delves into the twists and turns of her design career, starting out as an undergrad unsure how to blend engineering and art, to eventually leading Design for Play at IDEO's Play Lab. She believes the most unconventional paths are the ones that will make you most equipped. At the Play Lab, she applies principles of play to tackle challenges like responsible digital design and sustainable circular economies, building towards better, optimistic futures. Michelle's most recent project is the Designing for Digital Thriving Open Innovation Challenge to reimagine healthy online spaces—check out the winners here!Watch the video version on Youtube!Tune in to hear Michelle's perspective on:Her not-so-linear path across industries like aerospace engineering, toys, apps, and startupsYour portfolio does not have to be perfect—be interesting.Circular economy and playPlay and "professionalism" are not mutually exclusiveDesigning your careerOpen innovation as the future of designMichelle's shoutouts:Designing for Digital ThrivingBig chunky crayonsFollow Michelle!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellesklee/Website: ideoplaylab.comTechnical Difficulties is hosted by Liz Gerber and produced by Lauren Lin & Gilli Nieh. Special thanks to the Alumnae of Northwestern and Northwestern’s Center for HCI + Design.

What is the business case for costume weeks at work or school? Join Emily Ma, Head of Food for Good at Google, as she takes us through her design engineering journey and the curiosities that led her to interesting places. Her work on food and data started at X, Alphabet’s moonshot factory (where she also worked on Glass, Loon and Waymo!). Now, Food for Good is core to Google, where Emily reimagines our food system in service of a more sustainable, equitable and healthy future.Watch the video version on Youtube<p>Tune in to hear Emily's perspective on:Career journey, from mechanical engineering to design and businessStaying curious, protecting your energy, and "expertise"The business case for costumesGoogle's Food for GoodThe power of power of having a vision and bringing others alongHope and policy makingAdvice for young people in this world</p>Emily's shoutouts:The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley RobinsonFollow Emily!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyjma/Twitter: @emilyjmaInstagram: @emilyjmaTechnical Difficulties is hosted by Liz Gerber and produced by Lauren Lin & Gilli Nieh. Special thanks to the Alumnae of Northwestern and Northwestern’s Center for HCI + Design.