Kickoff for the Human-Centered Design Lab

Human connection is our most basic need, both personally and professionally.. Through connection with others, we get energized, learn new perspectives, and find new opportunities. Often our professional community is limited to the company we work for, and learning opportunities are limited to what we can find at work or online. The Human-Centered Design (HCD) Lab aims to change that.

The HCD Lab is a vibrant community of professionals who learn together, support one another, and have a positive impact on our communities. We host hands-on workshops, led by members of the community, to share skills and perspectives on design and innovation, while coming together to solve real world problems in our local communities.

Members of our community come from any and all spaces where thoughtful design is needed. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Design (e.g. service design, UX design, architecture)
• Community engagement / activism
• Government
• Non-profits
• Healthcare
• Social impact start-ups

This kickoff marks the start of our journey together. Come see the vision for this community and have a hand in making it something you’ll love.

Agenda:

6:00 | Check-in + Connecting

6:30 | Introduction + 3 Pillars of the HCD Lab

6:45 | Co-design activity

7:20 | Group Discussion

7:30 |. Wrap up + Next steps

7:45 | Clean up + Connecting

About the facilitators:

Evan Chan is a civic designer, researcher, and facilitator who is passionate about improving government services and fostering equitable outcomes. He has worked as a public servant and as a consultant, navigating complex bureaucracies and centering the voices of residents and frontline workers at all levels of government. Before coming to design, he worked as a Christian youth minister with a university student organization, mentoring students and fostering a vibrant community. The values of compassion and care that he developed then still ground the work he does today.

Sylvie Abookire is a service & systemic designer, design educator and coach. Her work focuses on complexity and care, blending behavioral psychology and systems thinking to create experiences that foster habit, prevention, and connection as foundations of wellness. As a career transition coach, Sylvie also the human-centered design principles to help folks navigate transitions and get personally / professionally “unstuck.” Before coming to design, she was a mental health provider, working to bring trauma-informed wraparound services to youth and their families.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Foundry, 101 Rogers Street, Cambridge, United States