We’ve been busy.

Although our blog has been a bit quiet, we’ve been busy! We have been writing articles and book chapters and giving conference presentations (with more coming soon).  And, perhaps more exciting, Arizona State University, in collaboration with Think Fou …  READ MORE »

We’ve been busy.

Although our blog has been a bit quiet, we’ve been busy! We have been writing articles and book chapters and giving conference presentations (with more coming soon).  And, perhaps more exciting, Arizona State University, in collaboration with Think Fou …

READ MORE »
Flea Circus, ecological design

What’s the difference between designing living systems and designing technical artifacts? “Life finds a way” to complexify things… READ MORE »

The Flea Circus Fallacy: Jurassic Park and the Perils of Ecological Design

What’s the difference between designing living systems and designing technical artifacts? “Life finds a way” to complexify things… READ MORE »


Some things we design are intangible. Disney’s Imagineers took a universal experience–standing in line–and re-mixed it to fit in the happiest (?) place on Earth. READ MORE »

men standing in line

Designing experience: A Case Study of Disneyland’s Lines

Some things we design are intangible. Disney’s Imagineers took a universal experience–standing in line–and re-mixed it to fit in the happiest (?) place on Earth. READ MORE »


It’s the holiday season, so get ready to justify your interest in ‘design’ to grandma. “Listen, grandma, design is hard to define…” READ MORE »

Why Is It So Hard To Define Design? Holiday Edition

It’s the holiday season, so get ready to justify your interest in ‘design’ to grandma. “Listen, grandma, design is hard to define…” READ MORE »


Our 5 spaces framework is constantly evolving. Here’s the most recent version, originally published on Punya’s website. READ MORE »

A Blog Crossover: Our Framework v. 2.0

Our 5 Spaces framework is constantly evolving. Here’s the most recent version, originally published on Punya’s website. READ MORE »


Design is about action, and we are exploring some ways to make our framework more actionable. Check out five embodied representations for understanding our core framework, now The Five Spaces for Design in Education. READ MORE »

Five Perspectives for the Five Spaces for Design in Education

Design is about action, and we are exploring some ways to make our framework more actionable. Check out five embodied representations for understanding our core framework, now The Five SPACES FOR Design in Education. READ MORE »


Once in a while, our team of writers step back from our conceptual musings to get into what design looks like on the ground. As part of this move, we will be presenting a series of interviews with real designers from many walks of life. First up, Andrew Parr, an Escape Room Designer. READ MORE »

Escaping Design Stereotypes: An Interview with Escape Room Designer Andy Parr

Once in a while, our team of writers step back from our conceptual musings to get into what design looks like on the ground. As part of this move, we will be presenting a series of interviews with real designers from many walks of life. First up, Andrew Parr, an Escape Room Designer. READ MORE »


A rainbow colored circle showing the five discourses

  A continuum is one continuous sequence in which adjacent (or closely located) elements are not perceptibly different from each other, but the extremes are quite distinct. In other words, if someone were to move from point A to point B of a conti … READ MORE »

Here, There, and (Potentially) Everywhere

  A continuum is one continuous sequence in which adjacent (or closely located) elements are not perceptibly different from each other, but the extremes are quite distinct. In other words, if someone were to move from point A to point B of a conti … READ MORE »


Innovative organizations need to shield themselves from the influences of the status quo culture while simultaneously creating an alternative one. READ MORE »

Sustaining Innovative Culture (or How to Breathe on Mars)

Innovative organizations need to shield themselves from the influences of the status quo culture while simultaneously creating an alternative one. READ MORE »


Design is having a moment buoyed by the emergence of design thinking. What started as a science, literally “design science,” is now a buzzword in the business world and beyond. I argue that everyone is talking about design and I’ll prove it, with some … READ MORE »

Who is Talking About Design?

Design is having a moment buoyed by the emergence of design thinking. What started as a science, literally “design science,” is now a buzzword in the business world and beyond. I argue that everyone is talking about design and I’ll prove it, with some … READ MORE »


Melissa is having a great time Talking About Design at AECT (Association for Educational Communications and Technology) in Vegas! Check out the Five Discourses of Design in Education presentation. READ MORE »

The word "Inspired" over an arial view of the Paris Las Vegas casino

AECT Talks About Design!

Melissa is having a great time Talking About Design at AECT (Association for Educational Communications and Technology) in Vegas! Check out the Five Discourses of Design in Education presentation. READ MORE »


Illustration of a person on a unicycle juggling 3 objects

processes and systems keep artifacts, Experience, and Culture afloat. Just like a five discourse juggler.  READ MORE »

Representing the Five Discourses: The Juggler

Processes and systems keep artifacts, experience, and culture afloat. Just like a five discourse juggler.  READ MORE »


Design is simultaneously intentional and ambiguous. Like scientists with Petri dishes, designers know how to use this to their advantage. READ MORE »

Microscopic view of microbes in a petri dish

The Paradox of the Petri Dish, AKA Culturing a Culture

Design is simultaneously intentional and ambiguous. Like scientists with Petri dishes, designers know how to use this to their advantage. READ MORE »


An image of two people describing a number on the ground. To one it looks like a 6, to the other it looks like a 9.

Talking about design matters because when we do so, we talk about humanity—and humanity matters. It matters how we talk about design because words are the singular most powerful force available to humans. READ MORE »

Why Does How We Talk About This Matter?

Talking about design matters because when we do so, we talk about humanity—and humanity matters. It matters how we talk about design because words are the singular most powerful force available to humans. READ MORE »


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