Design Nerds Anonymous

Think about the last showroom you walked into. Was it visually stunning? Now ask yourself: Did it stick with you? Did it make you want to explore and engage? Was it truly remarkable? Many showrooms are caught in a tension between aesthetics and function—following a formula that’s been used for decades. But in 2025, playing it safe is the fastest way to be forgotten. In this episode, retail futuris...

The return to in-person events is not a return to business as usual. As trade shows, conferences, and live events thrive, some brands are redefining the event experience, while others risk making events feel outdated. In this episode, Marco Giberti—a leading expert in live event innovation—returns to Design Nerds Anonymous to revisit his 2021 predictions and share insights on what’s next for event...

The future of work isn’t just about where we work or what tools we use—it’s about why people choose to show up at all. In this thought-provoking episode, Amanda Schneider is joined by workplace strategy expert Phil Kirshner and Microsoft’s Matthew Marzynski to explore corporate collaboration in the phygital era—where physical, digital, and emotional elements intersect. This conversation goes beyon...

In today’s digital-first world, your website isn’t just a tool—it’s your first impression. If potential clients struggle to navigate your site, find outdated information, or encounter friction at every turn, they’ll leave. In this episode, Amanda Schneider is joined by two experts, Tyler Suomala and Erica Waayenberg, to break down exactly what companies get wrong when it comes to their digital pre...

Amanda Schneider takes listeners through the biggest insights, funniest moments, and thought-provoking themes from Season 6. This special “Best Of” episode revisits key conversations with thought leaders across industries, highlighting the evolving nature of end-user decision-making in the built environment. With topics ranging from creativity and consensus-building to pricing volatility and emoti...

In this episode, Amanda Schneider welcomes soft skills expert Kendra Johnson to discuss the evolving importance of soft skills in today’s hybrid workplace. As organizations navigate new challenges with dispersed teams and intergenerational differences, this conversation dives deep into the need for managers and employees alike to refine their communication, empathy, and adaptability. Learn how eac...

In this episode, Amanda Schneider leads a discussion with three industry leaders on one of the biggest challenges in the workplace today: turning overwhelming amounts of data into actionable insights. As decision-making teams grow larger and more diverse, integrating information from IT, HR, and workplace practitioners has become more crucial for success. The panel dives into how businesses can co...

This episode explores the growing complexity of decision-making in the built environment, focusing on how to reach consensus in larger, more diverse teams. Amanda is joined by Halle Hannaford, Senior Principal Team Lead at Chick-fil-A, who shares insights on how her team navigates decision-making challenges within the hospitality sector. Hannaford discusses how clear roles, cross-functional collab...

In this episode, Amanda Schneider and Rob Sadow dive deep into the outdated metrics that have traditionally guided workplace design and management, such as "people per square foot." With the rise of flexible and hybrid work models, these conventional metrics are becoming obsolete. Rob shares insights from FlexIndex, a platform that aggregates data from over 100,000 office locations to provide comp...

Amanda Schneider and her panel of experts tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry today: pricing volatility. With the aftermath of inflation and fluctuating costs impacting all aspects of project planning and execution, the discussion highlights how these uncertainties are reshaping the way decisions are made. The guests share insights on how project teams can adapt and thri...

In this episode, Amanda Schneider sits down with Dr. JJ Peterson from StoryBrand to explore how the art of storytelling can be a powerful tool for mastering "managing up" in the increasingly complex decision-making process in B2B environments. Dr. Peterson walks listeners through the StoryBrand framework, offering actionable insights on how to communicate clearly, engage stakeholders, and move tea...

Recorded live at NeoCon 2024, Amanda Schneider is joined by corporate, hospitality, and healthcare leaders to explore decision-making dynamics in the built environment. Featuring insights from Staci Patton of Hilton, Tope Sadiku of McDonald's, and healthcare architect Andrew Navarro of HPLEX Solutions, the discussion delves into ThinkLab’s 'Pain Map,' highlighting key friction points and how produ...

Welcome to Season 6! Amanda Schneider reflects on the growth of Design Nerds Anonymous and dives into the future of customer decision-making in the built environment. This episode highlights proprietary insights and data from ThinkLab and contrasts them with well-known global B2B research, such as Gartner and Forrester, illustrating how our industry differs in significant ways. Guest Amy Devers br...

Exciting News, Design Nerds! Season Six of Design Nerds Anonymous is on the way, diving deep into decision-making in the B2B space, inspired by insights from ThinkLab’s 2024 Hackathon. Each episode will explore key topics like managing up, overcoming client frustrations, and why traditional workplace metrics are fading. We’ve discovered that 86% of end users say their decision-making process has c...

ThinkLab’s research team was stunned by the intensity of challenges and anticipated transformations in these sectors, especially regarding a once-taboo term. Tune in to discover what this 'bad word' is and why it's causing such discomfort.  Special thanks to our partners at Kimball international who are doing big things to move the design industry forward.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...

In this episode, we explore one of the most critical environments to our nation’s health and wellbeing; the world of healthcare spaces. Join us to uncover what's changed, what hasn’t, and actionable steps you can take to expedite decision-making around spaces that heal.  Special thanks to our partners at Kimball international who are doing big things to move the design industry forward.  See Priva...

Step into the world of higher education, where we’re uncovering not-so-hidden culprits behind approval bottlenecks. Tune in as we share strategies to streamline the approval process and navigate academia’s challenges.  Special thanks to our partners at Kimball international who are doing big things to move the design industry forward.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

A staggering 86% of B2B decision makers in the built environment have experienced significant changes in their decision-making processes over the last five years.   In this four-part mini season, we’re sharing “client confessionals” to uncover the shifts happening in corporate, education, healthcare, and hospitality. Hear firsthand from end users, corporate real estate professionals, architects, d...

In this episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, we share a highlight reel of all eight episodes from this season. explore the importance of human connection in a post-pandemic world, the unique perspective of younger generations, and the role technology is playing in shaping the workplace. Discover why understanding Gen Z is crucial for the future of the design industry and how their perspectives can r...

In this episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, we explore how Gen Z's unique approach to building relationships, trust, and connection in the digital age can transform the workplace. Our guests shed light on the dynamics of face-to-face interactions in a digitally native generation.   Explore how to adapt your management styles to meet Gen Z employees where they are in terms of digital-native expectat...

In this episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, we explore the dynamic interplay of purpose and passion in the workplace. Delve into the power of understanding the "why" behind our actions and its potential to transform our choices. Learn how a sense of purpose can forge connections, nurture communities, and foster compassion within organizations. We emphasize the crucial balance between profit and soc...

In this episode we explore the evolving landscape of career paths, focusing on how Generation Z approaches and reshapes traditional concepts of career progression. Our guests share invaluable insights into the mindset of Gen Z employees and discusses the challenges and opportunities that arise when integrating their preferences into the workplace.  Discover why Gen Z's approach to career paths cha...

In this episode we dive into the dynamic world of learning in the digital era, with a specific focus on how to engage and empower Generation Z. Join us as we uncover effective strategies for adapting to Gen Z's unique learning preferences.   Learn why the buddy system works by exploring the shift from traditional face-to-face mentorship to a dynamic peer-based approach, aligning with Gen Z's prefe...

In this episode, we explore the concept of belonging within the architecture and design industry. Megan Henshall (Global Events Stategist from Google), shares three crucial dimensions of belonging: being part of a group, sharing common ideas, and connecting with various related groups.   In the second part of the episode, we chat with Kristin Cerutti (Regional Design Director at Nelson Worldwide)...

In this episode, ThinkLab interviews Dost Bardouille, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility of Swinerton; and Nina Johnson, Senior Commercial Insights Manager at Armstrong Craven. They discuss the pitfalls of traditional mentorship and explore three additional solutions for career development and upskilling your talent in a modern era.     After listening, you will be able to:  I...