Design Leadership / Georgetown

[slytherinatdisneysworld]

Another "wicked" design problem I have been thinking about lately is the use of plastic water bottles. I have recently switched from drinking from plastic water bottles to Liquid Death that are in aluminum cans. Similar to soda or alcoholic beverages. I have heard recently that bottled water contains significant amounts of nanoplastics and microplastics, with a 2024 study finding up to 240,000 plastic particles in a liter of bottled water and that plastic stays in your body.

I know the trend of reuseable drink containers, but I'm not a fan. It's too heavy to constantly carry around and constantly wash the containers out.

There also is the amount of plastic litter in the ocean to try to solve the pollution problem as well.

Researchers developed an imaging technique that detected thousands of tiny bits of plastic in common single-use bottles of water.

One Bottle at a Time

The pollution of the ocean is a massive environmental crisis. It may seem overwhelming, but the problem can be broken down into small tasks

[slytherinatdisneysworld]

One of the "Wicked" problems that first came to mind was AI and regulation of AI.

AI currently is like the wild wild west. There are both benefits and challenges with using AI. At my work, we have minimal usage of AI. We can't alter people in images or put our financial data in ChatGPT. We are only allowed to use CoPilot. My team uses it to get ideas for copy, but at the end of the day humans still write the copy. (See image posted) AI won't replace people currently at my work. But we aren't stopping from what potentials we can use to help our customers and employees as well.

I have attached an article of what US Congress has determined so far. As of 2025, only 30 bills have been enacted.

Regulating Artificial Intelligence: U.S. and International Approaches and Considerations for Congress

I believe we need more regulation. I can also think of the Scarlett Johansson lawsuit as well.

Scarlett Johansson says she is 'shocked, angered' over new ChatGPT voice

Johansson says she was approached multiple times by OpenAI to be the voice of ChatGPT, and that she declined. Then the company released a v

As we read in this Module 1, The Design Way by Harold Nelson, a "wicked" design/problem, I felt that AI Regulation met some of the qualifications such as changes as you try to solve it, involves many stakeholders and is unique and context dependent.

[slytherinatdisneysworld]

OXO Good Grips Kitchen Tools Innovation | Smart Design

A strategic partner with OXO International since 1990, Smart developed the influential OXO Good Grips line, which introduced the concept of

Design Leadership Example #3

OXO Good Grip Kitchen Tools

When I was creating my wedding registry at Target, I remembered researching brands for kitchen tools and came across the unique story behind the OXO Good Grips brand and wanted to share.

History: In 1989, Sam Farber, noticed his wife (who had arthritis) struggling with traditional kitchen tools. He partnered with Smart Design to create tools that were comfortable, functional, and inclusive. I started researching more about the Good Grips line and came across this article. https://smartdesignworldwide.com/projects/oxo-partnership/

According tot he article, the Oxo Good Grips peeler was ranked 6 out of 100 by Fortune and IIT Institute of Design among the most important designs in history. I have that peeler and it work great. Very simple, easy to use and no matter if you are right or left handed, anyone can use it.

This household product is another great example of a product that was HCD or Human-Centered Design. As we read in IDEO.org: The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design, HCD is a creative approach to problem solving that starts with people and ends with innovations solutions tailored to their needs. Farber had deep empathy for his wife struggling to use kitchen tools, he was inspired and implemented his idea to not only help his wife, but for all of mankind.

[slytherinatdisneysworld]

Design Leadership Example #2

Before I purchased my Apple Watch, I could not fathom spending between $400-$800 on a watch. It puzzled me why someone would do it. Once I started talking to coworkers who did buy one, and I found out all of the features and benefits, I wandered into an Apple Store back in December 2016 just to "look" at one. After talking more to the sales rep, I purchased my Christmas present for myself and have worn it daily ever sense.

Reading the Fortune article How Steve Jobs Gets Things Done, I admire his way of thinking and how he ran his business. Not only did he revolutionize the cell phone world, merging a phone and computer into a device that can fit in your pocket, but the way he thought to revolutionize the tech world is a great example overall for Design Leadership.

Some of my takeaways from the Fortune article was Simplicity is principle, extreme focus, small teams make a bigger impact and hands on during product design, development and user experience. All great qualities to strive for and remember when trying to creatively problem solve.

[slytherinatdisneysworld]

Design Leadership Example #1

Looking around my house I first noticed my Nest Thermostat. I made the switch last year and couldn't believe I didn't do it sooner. I love that it is a "smart" thermostat. My furnace or AC only runs when someone is home. Otherwise it goes into ECO mode and only runs when it has to. I have seen a difference in my energy bills.

A very quick history, in 2010, Tony Fadell was building his vacation home and noticed the thermostats were inadequate and out-of-date and inefficient. So Fadell partnered with fellow engineer Matt Rogers were they added sensors to monitor homes temperature to automate housing climate control and reduce energy consumption.

After Module 1's readings, I felt this product was a great example of design leadership and featured Human Centered Design. The nest was not only developed to benefit humans for a better lifestyle, but also for the world with sustainability. In Kevin McCullagh's post on The Many Faces of Design Leadership, I would describe Fadell and Rogers as "Maestro's" they raised the bar in design practice to give an upgrade to the existing thermostat.