Civic Design
Bloomberg-Harvard Innovation Track Programs
My work with Bloomberg Philanthropies includes coaching, mentoring, and guiding city leadership through programs where cross-functional teams learn to use design to solve complex problems. Since 2017, I’ve contributed to the overall program design and pedagogy and facilitated programs with 9 cities in the U.S. and Canada.
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Arlington, TX
Improving the continuity and efficacy of care for people who suffer from mental and behavioral health issues.
Above: Creating a paper medical health record prototype for testing with first responders. -
Norman, OK
Prototyping after-school and out-of-school programs for school-age children.
Above: packing a mobile after-school activity kit in a van for transport to a community center. -
Tulsa, OK
Reducing the number of stray and dangerous animals on their streets, and improving the health and wellness of Animal Welfare staff.
Above: exploring new Welfare Center building services and features with staff in a participatory design exercise.
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Oklahoma City, OK
Improving the strength and safety of neighborhoods and increasing community amongst seniors during the COVID pandemic.
Above: observational research revealed street lamp styles and lighting quality that looked and felt safe to residents.
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Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada)
Helping residents, businesses, and city stakeholders to meet municipal net-zero emissions goals. The team created the first annual EnviroFest, a sustainability festival for which I also provided design planning and prototyping. Read about the festival here >
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Richmond, CA
Creating a vision for the shipping port that includes new uses for strategically placed buildings and safety, maintenance, and site improvement prototypes through public art programs.
Above: Participatory design activities with residents to explore new uses of Port of Richmond buildings.
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Lincoln, NE
Prototyping an autonomous vehicle system to decrease congestion downtown.
Above: Autonomous Vehicle test rides to gauge resident rider impressions and trust levels.
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Durham, NC
Prototyping incentivization strategies to increase public transit ridership. Durham, NC was one of nine $1M winners. Read more about Durham’s win here.
The first pilot service from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge program, Project Why, provides street repair information to residents in underserved communities. I led the design of a visual system to distinguish the new information service. The mark signals street repair progress and adds formality to the workforce, their tools, and messaging.
The City of New Orleans
Project Why
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Project Why Service Branding
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I was curious how city teams and individual staff members used the design methods they learned on our innovation programs and projects.
My research produced perspectives about the use of space in civic project work that help teams organize their work and workspaces, visualize ideas and plans, and collaborate with colleagues and residents to design better futures together.