From Mechanical Engineer to Managing Director of Play with Michelle Lee, IDEO

How does one become a Managing Director of Play? Join Michelle Lee, Partner and Managing Director at IDEO, as she delves into the twists and turns of her design career, starting out as an undergrad unsure how to blend engineering and art, to eventually leading Design for Play at IDEO's Play Lab. She believes the most unconventional paths are the ones that will make you most equipped. At the Play Lab, she applies principles of play to tackle challenges like responsible digital design and sustainable circular economies, building towards better, optimistic futures. Michelle's most recent project is the Designing for Digital Thriving Open Innovation Challenge to reimagine healthy online spaces—check out the winners here!

• Watch the video version on Youtube!

Tune in to hear Michelle's perspective on:

• Her not-so-linear path across industries like aerospace engineering, toys, apps, and startups

• Your portfolio does not have to be perfect—be interesting.

• Circular economy and play

• Play and "professionalism" are not mutually exclusive

• Designing your career

• Open innovation as the future of design

Michelle's shoutouts:

• Designing for Digital Thriving

• Big chunky crayons

Follow Michelle!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellesklee/

Website: ideoplaylab.com

Technical Difficulties is hosted by Liz Gerber and produced by Lauren Lin & Gilli Nieh. Special thanks to the Alumnae of Northwestern and Northwestern’s Center for HCI + Design.