The Big Question: an IDEO Podcast IDEO

COVID-19 hit the entire world hard, but it has been detrimental to certain communities in a very specific way: The isolation and educational interruption widened pre-existing skills gaps, making it tougher to stay competitive. That is the case in Latin America, which has seen its digital skills gap expand.

The global issues we face require global solutions, making it more important than ever to cultivate the next generation of designers and their unique perspectives from all corners of the globe. Latin America is no exception: It’s home to a wealth of potential digital design talent that needs to be nurtured and directed.

In this episode, we talk with Alejandra Dancuart—Product Owner at Colectivo 23, part of Intercorp Group and an online learning hub for professionals who want to develop their digital skills—and IDEO Director Nathan Paterson to ask The Big Question: How might we tap into Latin America’s future digital designers?

Alejandra and Nathan discuss how their two organizations partnered to explore and confront that question, the course they brought to life together, and the global-local learning that resulted.

In this episode of The Big Question, we ask Pamela Gill Alabaster, Mattel Head of Global Sustainability, and Michelle Lee, IDEO Play Lab Managing Director… How might we lead the way in designing for a new socially responsible generation?

We’re exploring how we can implement sustainability in a heritage brand with over 70 years of history – one that has produced some of the most iconic toys in the world. How can we shift consumer behaviors, overcome organizational blockers and empower us to take action?

Pamela and Michelle discuss how their shared passions for the health of the environment and the joy that can be expressed through play, creates a radical new field of design that can lead the industry forward to a better future.

In this episode of The Big Question, Detria Williamson, IDEO CMO, asks Ramon Soto, Northwell Health Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Office, and Timothy Peck, IDEO Executive Portfolio Director of Health… how might health-system incumbents treat patients more like consumers? And how might we use digital platforms to enhance visibility & choice in healthcare?

Ramon and Timothy discuss how design solutions and marketing have created a new design ecosystem for patients.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords. They are fundamental to an ever shifting societal landscape, with open discourse around these themes becoming increasingly more widespread in day to day life.

How do we measure how diverse or inclusive a workforce is? And how do we ensure this data is transparent and self-evident? Diversity for diversity’s sake can be just an exercise in checking a box to fit a quota. It’s the inclusion of a wider pool of diverse talent that allows businesses to thrive, create, and innovate.

In this episode of The Big Question, Detria Williamson asks Frances Frei, Harvard Business School Professor of Technology and Operations Management and Lauren Collins, Chief of Staff, office of the CEO, IDEO… how might we, as leaders, embark on a journey of diversity, inclusion, and transformation in a radically transparent and collaborative way?

Frances and Lauren talk about how not only inclusivity of a more diverse workforce, but transparency on the methods used for integration and inclusion, can be achieved through design.

One of the most pressing questions of our time is surely, how might we protect the planet for future generations? What can we do, not just as individuals, but as a society to move to a more sustainable future that will preserve our home?

The world is shifting towards more sustainable practices. Renewable energy sources and packaging are a start, but progress is too slow. The linear economy model that has been the staple of business and society to date… is a model that no longer suits. A more circular system needs to be adopted not just by large businesses and governments, but by everyone in their day to day lives.

In this episode of The Big Question, Detria Williamson asks Constantin Schwaab, Wirelane CEO and Franz Blach, IDEO Alum… How might we empower society to move rapidly towards a cleaner future?

Constantin and Franz discuss how we might implement not only service and design solutions to help shift society’s mindset on a tangible level, but also on a psychological level for the betterment of our future.

The current food system cannot meet the needs of the growing urban population. In fact, producing food the way we currently do would require an extra planet’s worth of resources to feed the 7B people living in cities by 2050. It’s also unsustainable, causing 17% of global carbon emissions and leads to soil degradation, food waste and nutritional loss.

It’s clear that radical change is needed to create a more sustainable and resilient food system in terms of climate, biodiversity impact and supply chain issues. But how can the food industry thrive economically while being positive for the planet and people’s health? Essentially how can you do well and do good at the same time?

In this episode of The Big Question, Detria Williamson asks Sudhanshu Sarronwala, Chief Impact Officer at INFARM, and Axel Unger, a Partner at IDEO… How might we build a food system that is healthy for both people and the planet?

Sudhanshu and Axel discuss how vertical farming technologies, already in effect close to cities, could be the start of a new, more sustainable movement in food production globally, and the conscious, collective shifts we need to get there.