Join Portland Design Thinkers for an evening with Tony Salvador discussing: Catalytic Factor Analysis.

Many (most?) of our design-research methods are designed for point-problems that demand point solutions. All good. But not so good when those methods are applied to complex problems.

Catalytic Factor Analysis is a method designed to address complex sociotechnical challenges through a structured conversation with the crowd. This technique specifically creates a means for both characterizing wicked socio-technical problems and identifying the focus areas to transform the system toward a resolution. The result is the ability to focus resources – state, civil, and institutional, political, entrepreneurial, and educational – on those catalytic factors to transform the system. I will use several examples from recent work to illustrate the method.

Join us for a student-led presentation by the University of Oregon’s Senior Product Design Research class. The online event will reveal the results of a collaboration between PDT’s Advisors (Deb Mrazek, John Furukawa, Colin Bay, and Herman D’Hooge) and the UO students.

The students engaged in a research sprint with their PDT Advisors to uncover valuable insights about PDT’s member community and ecosystem. Over five days, students practiced primary and secondary research, including interviews with members. The four student teams will present their findings to the PDT community for feedback.

Each team will present its research findings to the PDT online community via Zoom on Monday, January 30th, from 4 pm-5 pm PST.

Portland Design Thinkers is happy to announce an evening with Dan Self and the Science of Storytelling: How the Brain Fires on Story.

100,000 years of human reliance on story has rewired the human brain to think in story terms and story structure to make sense and create meaning out of events and others’ actions.

Meaning…Cells that fire together wire together. And, this evolutionary predisposition is reinforced by the dominant use of story throughout childhood.

So what does this mean for all of us? How can we use this knowledge to create memorable stories? And how can we use our predisposition to turn everything that enters through sensory input into story for engagement?

About Dan Self: Story first. Story always. I've spent most of my working life or what is known as "a career" thinking about, studying, and uncovering the importance of story.

And in the pursuit of discovering the importance of story, I've explored many different job paths that have revealed some important aspects of the brain on story.

Bottom line? I'm not a neurologist, but I've played one on TV, and that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

Portland Design Thinkers invites you to join us for an evening with Charles Buchwald: Growing Design Ethics

Charles has been designing, inventing and making in a variety of industries across North America. He's led a wide array of efforts, from online learning to AR/VR museums to digital banking perks, for clients including BMW, Pillsbury, the government of British Columbia and Televisa. Among other current projects, he's growing a design ethics community group in one of the country's largest UX design studios, at U.S. Bank.

This talk will discuss the intersection of design, ethics, and four related topics: behavioral science, data science, personalization at scale, and inclusive design - And what this has to do with making sandwiches.

Portland Design Thinkers is excited to invite you to our first 2023 in-person event of the year. Join us in person on May 18th, 5:30-7:00p and meet your fellow PDTers! Light nibbles and drinks will be provided.

Space is limited, so please register early!

EVENT FAQ

Q: What is the in-person event capacity? A: 50

Q: Is the space ADA accessible? A: Yes

Q: Will there be food and drink at this event? A: Yes.

Q: What is the parking situation? A: The building has a large, free parking lot.

Q: Is there any special information that might help me find the entrance? A: The main entrance is clearly visible from the outside near the building address, the doors are secured but will remain open until 6p for event arrival. Event time 5:30-7p, 2nd floor.

Q: Is there secured bike parking? A: There is a bike rack by the picnic table.

Q: Should I consider using public transportation? A: The building is on the 56 bus route.

Q: Can I bring my dog? A: Sadly, no.

Portland Design Thinkers is excited to announce an evening with Todd Harple - From Silos to Synergy: An Anthropologist's Journey in Bridging Methodologies for Collaborative Design

Over the course of two decades, Todd has adapted his toolkit of methods to suit the audiences, challenges, resources, and desired outcomes of specific projects. With experience and time, he moved from rejecting Design Thinking to embracing it, to relegating elements of it to a part of a multi- (or anti-disciplinary) collaborative toolkit. This talk will illustrate with examples from Todd's work in consumer electronics, fashion, fitness, health and sports how his approach to collaborative design has evolved.

Portland Design Thinkers is excited to announce a SPECIAL EVENT with The New Rules For Work!

You’re invited to participate in an experimental meeting designed to test how a meeting’s location and technology impact meeting results.

By participating in this experiment, you can help answer questions about when groups should meet in person and how to have the best possible meeting experience no matter where you might be. You may also experience new meeting techniques and technology that you can use in your work.

If you agree to participate, here’s how it will work.

-Please join the ZOOM call up to 10 minutes early. You will spend the first 15 minutes filling out a consent form and completing a brief survey. -The group will then participate in a 60-minute creative problem-solving meeting. Your goal is to identify two or three quality responses to a complex challenge. -A meeting leader will guide you through a pre-scripted process. -Following the 60-minute meeting, you will complete a post-meeting survey about your experience. -In addition to the surveys, researchers will collect audio-video recordings for further analysis. You must be 18 years or older to participate and consent to the audio-video recording.

Note: because this is an interactive workshop, the event is limited to the first 30 people. If your registration status changes, please update in MeetUp, in case there are others on the waitlist.

For more information about The New Rules for Work can be found on their website: https://newrulesforwork.com

If you have any questions or would like to join the PDT Slack you can do so at this link: https://bit.ly/2JuQ2V6

Portland Design Thinkers is thrilled to announce an evening with April Reissmann; Sketchnoting 101: Intro to Visual Thinking for Design Thinkers.

Sketchnoting isn't art. It's communication.

Accessible, visual communication focused on clarity and transferring of knowledge quickly and efficiently. It’s a skill that can benefit everyone and brings joy to those who see and create sketchnotes. As Design Thinkers, we often have to communicate how and why this seemingly "unorthodox" method of problem-solving is so effective. Visual thinking can help win over your audience and get their buy-in sooner and with more dedication to the process. So grab a paper and pen and join this hands-on session to get started sketchnoting and learn how visual thinking can benefit your communication, work, and overall life (for real!).

Portland Design Thinkers are thrilled to announce another Rooftop Happy Hour! Join us for lively conversation, networking, and real, live, face-to-face time with your fellow Design Thinkers!

Food and beverage provided. Please RSVP and also let us know if your plans change, so we can plan accordingly.

Accessibility: Elevator that includes roof access and the bathrooms are ADA accessible

Parking: Free two-hour parking is located around the building on Stark St, 9th Ave, Sandy Blvd, etc.

Please be advised that photographs will be taken at the event for use on the website, our social media, and PDT-related publications. By entering this event, you consent to the PDT photographing and using your image and likeness.

PDT is a volunteer-run organization, and as you can imagine, organizing events can be expensive. We rely on sponsors and donations to help us offset these costs.

If you're able to contribute, we will be collecting cash donations at the event. We suggest a $10 cash donation, but we're grateful for any amount that you're willing to donate.

If you have any questions or would like to join the PDT Slack you can do so at this link: https://bit.ly/2JuQ2V6

Ignite your design thinking with a twist of spontaneity in a "Virtual Improv Shenanigans for Design Thinkers" session brought to you by Portland Design Thinkers.

Join us for an electrifying online experience where creativity meets unpredictability. Led by seasoned improviser and consultant, Kat Kojic of Hello Gorgeous, this session blends laughter and innovative challenges to enhance your adaptability, ideation, and collaboration skills. Get ready to break free from the ordinary, improvise with fellow designers, and fuel your imagination in unexpected ways!

5 pm (NOTE, this event will start earlier than many of our events)

Portland Design Thinkers is thrilled to announce our next event with Damon Gaumont: Turning Empathy into Action – This Is How Digital Products Attain True Success

Turning empathy into action in digital product experiences is crucial for creating products that resonate with users, provide value, and foster positive relationships between users and businesses. It not only leads to better user satisfaction but also contributes to the success and reputation of the product and the company behind it. In this talk, Damon will cover why it is so important, various methods to achieve it, how to measure it, and how to ensure it is continually improved.

About our speaker: Damon currently guides brands accountably through the creation of digital experiences by tapping his extensive background and expertise in brand building, creative strategy, and experience design. His belief that all brand extensions start best with a clearly articulated vision is the first step in an accountable process that culminates with beautifully usable and inherently humanized branded digital experiences.

If you have any questions or would like to join the PDT Slack you can do so at this link: https://bit.ly/2JuQ2V6

PDT is a volunteer-run organization, and as you can imagine, organizing events can be expensive. We rely on sponsors and donations to help us offset these costs. If you would like to help, we accept donations through Venmo @PortlandDesignThinkers.

Portland Design Thinkers is thrilled to announce our next event with Neal Moore: Can we design a warning system for democracy?

Individual changes gradually add up to something bigger; but in a multivariate world, how are we assessing and communicating gradual evolution of the big picture, and are we instilling urgency and direction with our storytelling?

In the 50’s, The Bulletin of The Atomic Scientists unveiled the Doomsday Clock to galvanize attention to the threat of nuclear war; more recently they’ve attempted to alert people against other existential threats like climate change.

The US has seen troubling developments in politics and society, leading to concern across a political spectrum that we are either heading toward authoritarianism or already in it. We’ll explore the challenge of designing a “Doomsday Clock” for democracy.

If you have any questions or would like to join the PDT Slack you can do so at this link: https://bit.ly/2JuQ2V6

PDT is a volunteer-run organization, and as you can imagine, organizing events can be expensive. We rely on sponsors and donations to help us offset these costs. If you would like to help, we accept donations through Venmo @PortlandDesignThinkers.

Portland Design Thinkers is thrilled to announce our next event with Jim Kalbach, AI Joins The Team: Integrating AI Into Research

Explore the dynamic relationship between the Jobs to be Done (JTBD) framework and AI in research with renowned industry expert Jim Kalbach. Investigate the pivotal role of AI tools, including ChatGPT, in refining target jobs, generating comprehensive job maps, and swiftly grasping unfamiliar fields. AI can improve efficiency but also learn from Jim about the importance of understanding its limitations.

Join Jim Kalbach on this insightful journey as he expertly guides you through the powerful synergy between JTBD and AI, empowering researchers to seamlessly transition from a blank page to deeper validation and innovation when AI becomes a part of the team.

About our speaker: Jim Kalbach is a noted author, speaker, and instructor in innovation, design, and the future of work. He is currently Chief Evangelist at Mural, the leading online whiteboard.

Jim is the author of several books: Designing Web Navigation (O’Reilly, 2007), Mapping Experiences, 2nd Ed. (O’Reilly, 2020), and The Jobs To Be Done Playbook (Rosenfeld, 2020). In 2023 he co-authored Collaborative Intelligence (Wiley, 2023) with Mariano Battan. Jim is also the Co-founder and Principal at the JTBD Toolkit, an online resource with learning, trainings, and content.

Join us for an insightful panel discussion at the next Portland Design Thinkers event, exploring Surprises and Speed bumps When Practicing Design Thinking.

As a design-thinker, you might often find yourself collaborating with individuals who may not fully understand the value of your approach. How do you effectively advocate for design thinking and demonstrate its impact on your projects and organization? Learn from seasoned experts on how to thrive (or survive) in a dynamic, multi-function workplace. Whether you're an experienced pro or just starting out, bring your questions and gain valuable strategies to adapt, innovate, and lead.

Meet the panel:

Shashi Jain: Shashi Jain is a Technologist, Entrepreneur, and Teacher who believes in the power of deep-tech literacy and youth entrepreneurship. He began his journey at Intel incubating frontier technology into new business models, with partners. Over the course of 24 years, he’s delivered concepts in AI, the Internet of Things, Mixed Reality, Space, Healthcare, Additive Manufacturing, and Blockchain. He’s been mentor to deep tech startups (orbital observation, silicon photonics) and has sponsored translational research in AI for Space applications with NASA Frontier Development Lab. He currently serves as Principal at the Portland Seed Fund, advising and evaluating deep tech startups. When he’s not dreaming about quantum computers and neuroscience (in space), you’ll find him teaching innovation and entrepreneurship to high school students through TiE Young Entrepreneurs and serving on the Board of Directors at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Shashi is also the author of “Creating Unstoppable Innovation” (coming in 2024)

Jamie Sherman: Jamie Sherman, PhD is a cultural anthropologist and user experience researcher. She has been working in the technology and UX space since 2012 when she was fortunate to join Intel, working on a range of existing and emerging technologies from virtual reality to gaming, content creation, and AI. Today she is Principal UX Researcher at ESRI focusing the UX of data and analytics in Geographic Information Systems.

Mike Premi: Mike Premi is an accomplished professional with a track record of success in sales and business development leadership, healthcare product management, and product marketing. With extensive experience in managing clinical trials of new technology solutions and driving global service innovation, Mike has cultivated strategic partnerships with prominent organizations such as the VA, American Medical Association, and American Pharmacists Association. His contributions extend beyond corporate realms, with multiple patents issued in healthcare software. As a co-founder of a healthcare startup business at Intel, Mike led partnerships with the AMA and APhA, resulting in the acquisition by a market segment leader. Transitioning to his third career, following roles as a US Naval Officer and Intel Business Development Leader, Mike's passion lies in leveraging computer technology to improve lives. He is currently dedicated to enhancing the lives of US Military Veterans through his work with SoldierStrong.org.

Paul Sorenson: With over 40 years of Human Factors Engineering/UX Research experience and a background that includes roles at Facebook, IBM, Lockheed, Hewlett Packard, and Intel, Paul Sorenson is an expert in user experience research. Specializing in user-centered, mixed-methods research, Paul's recent focus has been hand-held, wearable, and augmented/mixed reality technology and products. His expertise in experimental design, sensory perception, cognition, and human factors engineering has significantly influenced multi-sensory experience research and design.

Portland Design Thinkers is thrilled to host our next speaker Nandini Nayak: Herding the Cats with Service Blueprinting.

In any human experience-centered program, bringing vision to optimized execution requires continuous cross-functional alignment and collaboration, which often falls apart! Nan will discuss how she has used Service Blueprinting as a key framework to drive alignment in complex organizations. You will learn how UX and Service Design are complementary, the difference between journey mapping and service blueprinting, and why it is important to take a systems view to be a successful design professional.

About our speaker: Nan is an experienced Digital Strategy and Transformation leader with a Human-Centered mindset. She has spent a career at Hewlett Packard and Accenture driving strategic design programs and practices serving audiences across industry segments. Nan holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology

The Portland Design Thinkers are happy to announce our next event with Stacey Murphy, Regenerative Design: From Vision to Reality.

Can your product, service, or corporation actively restore ecosystems and communities on the other side of the globe? Discover how to apply the holistic principles of Regenerative Design for you and your team to achieve the positive impact you desire.

Tap into the regenerative mindset that’s not only helping the planet but also disrupting a $17 trillion market. You’ll enjoy mind-boggling real-world solutions that sound like science fiction.

About our speaker: Stacey Murphy is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, impact investor, architect, engineer, and the Founder of Dreaming Earth, an architectural venture capital studio with the Earthshot of growing buildings by 2030.

Stacey incubates startups focused on Regenerative Materials and systems in architecture and construction innovation. Her experience starting BK Farmyards, a decentralized urban farming network in Brooklyn, led her to deliver keynote talks in Regenerative Design Thinking for groups that want to improve efficiencies and leave a positive impact on the planet.

Stacey has been featured in Fast Company, New York Magazine, New York Times, BBC, Martha Stewart Radio, David Letterman, PBS, and two TEDx talks on the future of food.

Portland Design Thinkers is excited to announce our next event with Line Mørkbak, Co-Create Solutions: Tapping into Your Most Valuable Resource - Your People

In this engaging and practical talk, we will explore how to harness the collective intelligence of your organization. Learn how to foster collaboration across teams and silos, enabling the co-creation of innovative solutions that would otherwise be impossible. By looking at Open Space Technology, LEAN Coffee, and a few of the Liberating Structures. Through these co-creative practices, we will try our self-organization to uncover hidden pockets of knowledge from individuals at all levels.

Co-creation builds advocacy among all participants and encourages pushing beyond the familiar, avoiding the pitfalls of mere consensus. Join us to discover how to truly tap into your most valuable resource: your people.

PDT is thrilled to bring our community together for a special in-person event! Connect with fellow Design Thinkers for an evening of networking, engaging ideation activities, and the opportunity to share ideas in real-time, face-to-face.

We’re especially excited to host this event at the Architectural Heritage Center. Located in the heart of Portland, the AHC is a key part of preserving the city’s architectural heritage, offering a setting that reflects the creativity and history of our community. It’s the perfect spot to connect, share ideas, and meet your fellow Portland Design Thinkers.

Enjoy delicious food and beverages as we dive into creative conversations and build connections.

Please RSVP and let us know if your plans change, so we can plan accordingly.

Suggested Donation: $15 at the door to help cover food and beverage costs. If you're facing financial constraints, feel free to contribute whatever you can. Every little bit helps and we would love to see you there!

If you have any questions or would like to connect with other members of PDT, join our Slack community.

PDT is a volunteer-run Oregon nonprofit organization, and as you can imagine, organizing events can be expensive. We rely on sponsors and donations to help us offset these costs. If you would like to help, we accept donations through Venmo @PortlandDesignThinkers.

Portland Design Thinkers is excited to announce our next event with Danielle Green: Where to Start with Strategic Product Research

Strategic Product Research is in high demand, but Product and UX professionals are often set up to fail. What exactly does strategic research entail? And how does it differ from discovery research? Learn why showing conceptual designs to users doesn’t work and explore better ways to evaluate whether you are building the right product or feature. Geared toward product managers, designers, product leaders, and entrepreneurs, this framework is designed to empower UX and Product professionals to make strategic decisions confidently.

Portland Design Thinkers is proud to present Pete Denman: My journey with design, activism, and accessibility.

Our leaders have recommended that we approach diversity and inclusion with skepticism. Having spent 30 years in design and being in a wheelchair since shortly after graduating high school 37 years ago, I’ve seen significant changes fueled by people's passion for their needs and goals.

In my talk, I will emphasize the importance of diversity and activism and their influence on new technologies. I’m not your average designer; for the last 20 years, I’ve been at the forefront of emerging technologies in a research lab at Intel, working on innovative products and concepts that are still developing. My expertise spans interaction design, visual design, and user experience validation. I've tackled projects ranging from traditional graphic design to creating the interface that Stephen Hawking used to communicate and operate his computer.

If you're curious to hear about my journey and how passion and activism have informed my work, I invite you to join me for this conversation.