There's been alot of hype recently around the metaverse and what the future of the internet could look like. In this episode we debate around how important the metaverse will be and how the design of it is critical to its possible success.
In this short bonus episode from our AI series we explore some of the physical design implications of artificial intelligence.
We hear a lot about how AI is changing our world. It threatens our jobs, our privacy, and our future. In this episode we unpack those fears further and help you understand if those fears are founded.
AI seems to be everywhere you look today. In this episode, we talk about some of the more prominent areas that AI exists today and how it affects our lives for better and worse. We also outline some of the important design principles necessary to make an AI system that works best for humans.
In our first of three episodes on Artificial Intelligence we look at the history of how AI has been portrayed and predicted and talk about what it reveals about the way we think and act as humans.
Have you watched Netflix's new hit series Squid Games? Probably. It's their most popular series ever on the platform. In a short bonus episode, we look at some of the subtle uses of design that are throughout the show and explore how these help shape the story and allegory of the series.
Data visualizations are a part of everyday life and we see them all the time. In this episode we look at some historical charts that influenced their moment in time and then unpack four ways that graphs and charts can manipulate our opinions and perceptions.
COVID-19 has impacted everyone's life in numerous ways. In this episode we trace through the history of pandemics, and how they have impacted many features that we still see in homes today. Then we discuss how homes today might change because of the current pandemic.
Today we explore how the different design choices in our urban environments can negatively affect the homeless population, and what changes can be made to help them more. We are joined by Melissa Woodward who is in her Postdoctorate at UBC and is currently working with BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services Research Institute.
In a special extra episode, we carry on our discussion around playground design and the importance of making playgrounds that are accessible to all children regardless of their needs and abilities
Playgrounds have been a part of suburban and urban life for a long time, but they haven't always looked like they do today. Most playgrounds today are designed to be as safe as possible for kids. However, as we unpack in the episode, this may actually end up resulting in more dangerous injuries for children.
Hospitals are increasingly complex places that have to serve a wide range of needs and a wide range of people. Designing and planning for these uses and needs is extremely challenging. In our two part series we dive into the different ways that design choices in hospitals can have a direct affect on patient health outcomes.
Hospital's are increasingly complex places that have to serve a wide range of needs and a wide range of people. Designing and planning for these uses and needs is extremely challenging. In our two part series we dive into the different ways that design choices in hospitals can have a direct affect on patient health outcomes.
Tiny houses and van-life are trends that have really taken off in recent years. Today we look into this a little more to understand the realities of it and the appeal. We also conducted a survey of tiny house owners to get some insight into what they like and don't like about their living arrangements.
Is there a better way to organize all the things you have to do in your life? We all have different ways of remembering and checking off tasks as we navigate our work and personal responsibilities. In today's episode we talk about how we organize our tasks and how the ways of doing this can effect our mental well being. We are also excited to do this episode with guest host Dr. Melissa Woodward.
Eco-friendly products have become a huge part of consumer culture. So much so that you often see products that are designed to look 'green' but on closer inspection have no actual eco-friendly qualities. This week we look deeper at product labels and test whether just putting the colour green on the label can influence you to buy it.
Maps allowed explorers to find new lands, governments to redefine their power, and ordinary people to imagine places they’ve never been. But these days maps appear in all areas of our lives and we seldom think about the subtle effects they have on our worldview. Maps have the power to change how we see ourselves, the people around us, and how we rank the influence of countries. In this episode we look at 3 unintended consequences of the way maps are designed and encourage people to be more mindful of how they view maps.
Most people who go to IKEA do so with the intention of setting up a home and this is something that is often shared with another person. This requires discussion and making joint decisions about personal preferences, lifestyle choices and budget considerations. But this so often leads to conflict that Amy Poehler once said that “Ikea is Swedish for argument”.
In this episode, we find out why visits to Ikea so often lead to conflict. We look at how very deliberate design choices have made the chain so successful, and how these same decisions create an environment that’s primed for conflict.
Produced by Reg Boy and Chris Montgomery
Sound mastering and composition by Johnathan Booy
Coming soon! Design Minded is a podcast where will explore design decisions we encounter on a daily basis and look at how they affect our behaviour, thoughts, and decisions, sometimes even without us realizing it.
Produced by Reg Booy and Chris Montgomery
Sound editing and mixing by Johnathan Booy