Alternative Design

Send us Fan Mail What if you could borrow a person the same way you borrow a book? In this episode, we sit down with Human Library founder Ronni Abergel to explore the simple but radical idea that the best way to fight prejudice isn't through debate, but through conversation, and how the spaces we design either make that possible or get in the way.  https://humanlibrary.org/

Send us Fan Mail What if aging wasn’t about slowing down, but about redefining oneself and embracing new opportunities? In this episode, we explore an innovative approach to campus design that brings generations together, creating vibrant communities where education inspires lifelong growth and self-discovery. We talk with Alejandro Giraldo, Principal and Senior Living practice leader at Perkins E...

Send us Fan Mail What if the next game-changing amenity in office design isn’t a rooftop lounge or wellness room—but data? In this episode, we talk with Peter Choi, Design Principal at HOK, who challenges us to rethink the very systems that power our built environment. As AI, edge computing, and digital speed reshape how we live and work, Choi makes a compelling case for treating data infrastructu...

Send us Fan Mail We all know what joy feels like, but what does it mean to design for it? In Episode 34 of the Alternative Design Podcast, we sit down with Ron Swidler, CEO of The Gettys Group, to uncover how joy can transform from a simple emotion into a powerful design objective in hospitality spaces. We explore the elements that create sensory delight and surprise, such as color, play, and tech...

Send us Fan Mail In a world that's increasingly anxious, overstimulated, and surprisingly less colorful, the need for calming and supportive space design has never been greater. Episode 33 of the Alternative Design Podcast examines the essential role of trauma-informed design in public spaces. Host Kaelynn Reid sits down with Rebecca Fairman, Chief Design Officer at Flip4Good, to explore how...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to unlocking employee engagement wasn’t stricter policies or trendier perks—but better storytelling? In this episode of Alternative Design, we’re joined by Alvin Oei, Senior Manager of Retail Creative at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, to explore how the magic of retail design can be a blueprint for reimagining the workplace. From immersive store environmen...

Send us Fan Mail Healthcare isn’t just something that happens in hospitals—it’s happening in our homes, whether we realize it or not. But what if home wasn’t just a backdrop for health, but an active partner in healing? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Boozary—Founding Executive Director of University Health Network’s Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine—discusses the Dunn House project, a first-of-its-k...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 30 of the Alternative Design podcast, we discuss the evolving role of amenity spaces in workplace, education, and healthcare. Recorded live from Fulton Market Design Days in Chicago and the Healthcare Design Conference in Indianapolis, the episode features voices from diverse backgrounds, including designers, architects, and end users. The episode highlights the importa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the critical role of amenity spaces in shaping modern workplace environments, especially in the post-pandemic era. Join our expert panelists—Nick from Stanford, Lily Diego from Gensler, and Brian Berthold from Cushman Wakefield—as they delve into how thoughtfully designed amenities foster human connection, engagement, and wellbeing. Discover the evolvin...

Send us Fan Mail Serious Play: Gaming for Global Good goes into the future of game-based learning and education, exploring the potential of games to drive community engagement and global change. Manuela Colombo, Executive Director at Livelab, discusses using games to empower communities to discover their collective power and find solutions for real-world challenges. The episode highlights the impa...

Send us Fan Mail Kimball International proudly hosted Alternative Conversations: Attracting the New Higher Ed Learner , drawing together a panel of designers and industry leaders to discuss the future of academia. Against the backdrop of an ever-evolving educational landscape, the discussion illuminated key insights shaping the direction of higher education. Listen to this episode for the highligh...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for the launch of Alternative Design, a groundbreaking multimedia platform that empowers designers to become catalysts for positive change. Through thought-provoking podcasts, blog articles, immersive videos, and conversations, Alternative Design showcases the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in design, sustainability, technology, and social responsibility....

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we explore the landscape of lifelong learning and the evolution of educational spaces. Heather McGowan, future-of-work strategist, keynote speaker, thought leader, researcher, and author, leads us through a paradigm shift away from a linear model of learning and career paths toward a lifestyle characterized by perpetual growth and adaptability. This “Live. Work. Learn.”...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 4 of the Alternative Design podcast! Join us as we envision a future where education seamlessly integrates into daily life. Explore the changes that will reshape how we live, work, and learn, from AI mentors guiding task prioritization to children testing different aspects of the corporate experience while still in school. In the year 2030, colleges and businesse...

Send us Fan Mail A brand new season of Alternative Design is dropping March 6th on the Future of Education. We're discussing what the latest global trends mean for the future of education and why it matters to creatives who will be designing learning environments! The season will, of course, include a forecast of what we think the education industry could look like by 2028 and include topics...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the season finale episode of the Alternative Design podcast. In "Sitting is the New Side Hustle," we reveal our forecast for the Future of Work in 2030. We explore a world where furniture coordinates everything from personal data collection to generating extra income from energy-producing surfaces. Join us as we delve into the seamless integration of work and...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine earning college credits by watching Youtube videos on your phone – that’s the reality Study Hall is crafting! Born out of a partnership between Youtube, Arizona State University, and Crash Course, Study Hall is breaking down barriers to education and signals a coming shift in the modern workplace. That’s right, in the not-so-distant future, your office won’t just be where...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the future of office spaces, as seen through the eyes of Stanley Sun from Mason Studio. Stanley's innovative approach brings a new perspective on how offices can be co-owned by employees and the community. Stanley’s vision goes beyond redefining physical spaces. It’s about discovering new revenue streams for businesses that also create meaningful connections and fo...

Send us Fan Mail In this second segment of Crafting Culture and Belonging, we revisit the microbrewery Ferndale Project. Join us to discover how their unexpected challenges allowed them to discover their culture. At Kimball International, we know culture can make or break our sense of belonging. It’s no wonder Ferndale’s taproom redesign translated their values and 100% of employees reported they...

Send us Fan Mail In this special two-part episode of the Alternative Design podcast, we're taking a tour of the craft beer world, starting with my local brewery, Ferndale Project. Dayne Bartscht joins us as the Founder and Managing Partner of Ferndale Project to share how they intentionally built a symbiotic relationship with the local community, a concept that Colleen Myles, a political ecol...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Season 3 premiere of the Alternative Design podcast. Mark Bryan, Senior Foresight Manager at the Future Today Institute, unveils his scenario of the future set in 2026. He envisions a world where decentralized organizations, gratitude silos, and AI clients shape the design profession. He also helps us discover how foresight is the key to designing spaces that not on...

Send us Fan Mail We rethink acoustic design as we explore everything from vibro-acoustic nightclubs and generative music to ancient Egyptian sound chambers. Sound is more than what we hear in our ears, it’s what we feel with our entire body. Instead of something to absorb with dense panels and soft furnishings, what if we embraced sound as a design tool that could create better human experiences f...

Send us Fan Mail Instead of debating whether commute reimbursements or paid lunches will get people back into the offices, we decided to explore a more alternative solution. Belonging is one the most desired outcomes in the workplace today, even more than productivity! We believe the power to motivate employees and support well-being could lie in the five senses and how they could be leveraged to...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we discuss alternative solutions for victims of climate change. In this episode of the Alternative Design podcast, we're talking about the world's forgotten victims, also known as climate refugees. There will be a massive amount of people who will be forced to move their home, their family, and their community to a safer location due to climate change. Some of...

Send us Fan Mail We know that '80s throwbacks are having a moment right now, and so in the spirit of the retro trend we decided to make you a mix tape. It's essentially our greatest hits album of our most alternative, boundary breaking design ideas that we explored in season 1. But what about the awesome jams? I mean, it is a mixtape after all! Don't worry, the highlight reel is set...