If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
Episode overview
In this deeply human episode, Gerry Scullion speaks with Wellington-based design researcher Rachel Knight about the emotional realities of working in social impact. From navigating trauma-informed projects to setting boundaries as a freelancer, Rachel shares powerful insights on staying grounded while doing meaningful work.
This conversation is essential listening for anyone working in design research, especially those engaging with vulnerable communities or emotionally charged topics.
🔑 Three Key Takeaways
Don’t miss this raw and reflective episode. Subscribe and share it with your team.
Links
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
Key Learnings:
• Lived experience in leadership ensures services truly meet people’s needs.
• Designing for dignity builds trust, safety, and belonging in vulnerable communities.
• Long-term, community-centred support is crucial for breaking cycles of homelessness and addiction.
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
In this short update episode, Gerry Scullion shares an exciting behind-the-scenes change: the Global Human-Centered Design Directory has now moved to the main This is HCD website. What started as a quiet initiative has turned into a valuable resource for connecting values-aligned practitioners across the globe.
Discover how this small but intentional update improves access, strengthens the community, and could help you find your next collaborator, mentor, or team member. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to building a more connected human-centered design ecosystem—together.
3 Key Takeaways:
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
In this episode, I speak with Irish garden designer and tv personality - Diarmuid Gavin. He has presented gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show on nine occasions from 1995 to 2016 - He has also authored or co-authored at least ten gardening-related books.
For regular listeners, you will be familiar with a recent episode I did with 16-time Grammy award-winning producer, Rafa Sardina - well this episode is continuing on that trend. I am really keen to explore other disciplines to see how they work to solve complex problems and also approach their work. I see gardening and working with nature as a direct parallel to working within organisations. Thinking like this, I was excited to speak with Diarmuid to see how he explores designing for the future and chat at length about external factors that could hinder the designer's vision.
Diarmuid was a great guest - and wanted to give a big shout out to his wonderful Instagram page where he answers questions regularly through his Live events. So if you are interested and getting started with anything garden related - Diarmuids yer man!
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
In this solo episode, Gerry shares a heartfelt update on the This is HCD community and why it has evolved into an application-only model. Learn what makes this space radically different from noisy, growth-obsessed communities and how it’s built with intention, purpose, and a desire to create genuine impact.
Whether you’re a human-centred design practitioner or just curious, you’ll hear how members gain access to all of Gerry’s premium courses, personal coaching, and a low-noise, high-value space to learn and connect.
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
In this episode of This is HCD, I speak with Mike Parker about Liminal Coaching — a practice grounded in cognitive science that uses intentional daydreaming to help people unlock clarity, creativity, and direction.
We explore the role of the default mode network in the brain and how it becomes active during daydreaming — something most of us were taught to avoid, but that might actually be key to problem-solving and breakthrough thinking.
There’s also a special live session led by Mike — a short guided liminal moment — designed to help you feel more grounded and clear in just a few minutes. If you’re working in a high-pressure environment or navigating complex challenges, this is one to try.
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
🎙️ Dive into an insightful episode with Gerry Scullion as he discusses leadership, introversion, and the invisible emotional toll of workplace dynamics with Tim Yeo, the author of 'The Quiet Achiever'.
👥 Tim shares his journey of self-discovery and challenges the extroverted ideal in leadership, paving the way for more inclusive and diverse workplace environments.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
💡 Introversion vs. Shyness: Discover how energy management is crucial for introverts in today’s work environments.
🗣️ Inclusive Leadership: Leadership doesn't have a single voice. Learn about creating diverse teams with varied strengths.
📅 Practical Tools for Introverts: From meeting preparation to strategic energy recovery, find actionable insights from Tim's journey.
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
In this unfiltered and deeply reflective episode, Gerry Scullion speaks with Lee Moreau – architect, educator, and founder of Other Tomorrows – about the state of design amidst global turbulence. From their shared love of architecture to podcasting as a tool for oral history, Lee opens up about why designers must brace for impact, embrace discomfort, and use their skills to care for one another. Together, they discuss the intersection of politics, design education, and the urgency of building alternative futures.
3 Key Takeaways:
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
Discover the evolution of design with experts Gerry Scullion, Steve Baty, and Martin Tomitsch as they discuss the shift from Human-Centered Design to Life-Centered Design. Dive into innovative strategies, industry shifts, and impactful approaches for sustainable futures.
🎁 Enter to win a copy of 'Designing Tomorrow' by Steve Baty and Martin Tomitsch!
To be in with a chance of winning a copy of the book, simply share this episode to your friends on LinkedIn (and tag https://www.linkedin.com/company/thisishcd) before April 14 2025 12:00 (Dublin, Ireland). Winners will be announced in our newsletter.
Key takeaways include:
- The transition to Life-Centered Design
- Design's role in business strategy and governance
- Building resilience in design careers
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
Join Gerry Scullion in this engaging episode of 'This is HCD' as he converses with Jamie Shields, co-founder of Disabled by Society, a business dedicated to revolutionising disability inclusion. Jamie, an accessibility consultant, shares insightful strategies on moving beyond mere compliance to create genuinely inclusive environments.
Discover the challenges faced by disabled individuals daily, understand why designing for accessibility from the start is crucial, and learn how organisations can be held accountable for their inclusion practices. Filled with personal anecdotes and practical advice, this episode is a must-watch for anyone seeking to create meaningful change in design and business.
💡 Three Key Takeaways:
• Why ableism is often invisible—and how to unlearn it
• The cost of retrofitting accessibility vs. embedding it from the start
• How to evaluate if an organisation is walking the walk—not just ticking boxes
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
A really interesting one, particularly for those with an interest or any personal links to neurodiversity. Enjoy!
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
Join us for an exciting episode as we dive into the world of UX design with Tanuj Shah, the visionary founder of Build UX. 🌟 Learn how this groundbreaking platform is transforming design workflows with automation, collaboration, and integration! 🤖 Explore the challenges of tool overload, the importance of live UX artefacts, and the future of AI in design. Don't miss special discounts and insights for UX professionals! 💡
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.
In this episode, I sit down with Joff Outlaw and Brad Marshall, co-authors of Busy Idiots, to explore the modern obsession with busyness and the digital distractions that keep us in a perpetual cycle of inefficiency. We dive into why productivity has been hijacked by technology, how workplace cultures reinforce the need to “look busy,” and practical strategies for auditing your digital life.
Creators & Guests
Like what we do? Make a Tip.
Sponsor links
