Kit Hinrichs

It’s Juneteenth, and as the State of Black Design We On Point conference convenes this week in Minneapolis, many of us in the global design community are reflecting on where we’ve made progress and where we’ve fallen short in building a more diverse and representative industry. I've shared my thoughts in a new post: https://lnkd.in/gjmfVnFB #design #designatscale #designleadership #diversityindesign

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Next week, Metropolis Magazine will release the first-ever METROPOLIS Interface U.S. Sustainable Design Report. It brings together reporting by industry organizations, insights from sustainability leaders, and trends in products and materials to paint a picture of sustainable architecture and design in the United States in 2025. 🕓 Join Interface's Mikhail Davis and me for the unveiling of the report on Feb 5, 2025 at 4pm EST: https://lnkd.in/eHy5diz Some surprising findings from our research: 🟢 Less than 3% of total U.S. building stock square footage is certified "green." 🟢 39% of architects and designers rely on their firm's own sustainability frameworks while designing. (47% say LEED, 34% use project-specific goals) 🟢 22% feel "very confident" in evaluating sustainability claims made by manufacturers. (34% "mostly," 24% "somewhat") Join us next week and find out more!

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An art gallery I work with in Northern California is dealing with a "Systems Vacuum." They're not alone. It's probably the most common problem I come across as a Experience Designer and Strategy Consultant. What is a “Systems Vacuum?” It’s when the necessary systems to help a business or project thrive do not exist. This can (and does) happen anywhere and everywhere - from the coffee shop to the consulting agency, in international logistics, medical, manufacturing, and insurance. I've seen it on product teams many times. How do you know if you're experiencing a systems vacuum? Some common symptoms are; - The team are desperately trying to create their own work-arounds. - Nothing feels like it’s getting done. Work is going in circles. - There’s usually a little bit of squabbling going down. Disagreements are not productive and they increasingly look more and more like arguments. Sounds pretty bleak, doesn't it? Well, the reason I started Collaborative Genius is because systems vacuums don't have to continue forever. We can't just throw a band-aid over it and call it "fixed." But we can understand it to transform it. We just need a little G.E.N.I.U.S. (collaboratively) Step 1: [G]ather with the people: Everything in our world stems from human relationships, knowledge, and experience. Listen... I mean EVERYTHING. Step 2: [E]valuate the data: After you’ve listened, watched, and (if you’re lucky) participated, find the patterns and mind the gaps. Step 3: [N]otice lifecycles: When do relationships start and end? What are the systems, spaces, practices, and people that support it? Map it out. Step 4: [I]dentify the support systems: Engage a tactile framework to prioritize action that can have the highest quality of impact. Step 5: [U]se a road map: Even if it’s rudimentary, even if it has to be changed, this is so helpful to just taking the first step and staying on track. Step 6: [S]tick with it: Change doesn’t happen just because you have a great plan. Consistent action is key. Every week I spend with the art gallery will bring us insights and learnings. I am excited to share them with you!

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Is branding the gateway to better design systems in higher ed? I’ve been curating HigherEd.Design—a collection of design systems from universities and colleges—and recently, Nica Lorber shared a fantastic identity site with me: UCSF’s brand guide. It includes logo usage, colors, photography, print guidelines—all beautifully organized. But here’s the thing: It’s not a design system. It’s branding. So now I’m asking myself—and you—should resources like these belong on HigherEd.Design? ✅ Pros: Including them could make HigherEd.Design a richer, more holistic resource. Want to compare how different institutions handle color, typography, or brand tone? Boom—one place to explore. It might even help inspire schools to evolve brand guidelines into full-fledged design systems. ⚠️ Cons: Branding isn’t the same as a design system. And by blending the two, we risk diluting the conversation about scalable, token-based, component-driven systems. There’s a danger that the harder, deeper work of design systems gets overshadowed. So here’s my ask: 👉 Should we include branding sites on HigherEd.Design? 👉 If yes, how should we differentiate them? 👉 Or do they deserve their own parallel list? Drop your thoughts below—or DM me if you’ve seen a great example worth sharing. Let’s build a resource that truly supports the future of design in higher education.

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Design is evolving, but at its core, it remains deeply human. In my latest piece, I explore how in this decade of design, roles are merging, and how today’s designers are called to be more than just makers. We are facilitators, systems thinkers, and ethical navigators - grounded in empathy, guided by purpose. Whether you're a new product designer, a strategist, or someone shifting into design from tech, humanities or marketing - there’s space for you in this expanding, human-centered field. The Shape of Creative Practice: Where Design Roles Meet Read here >>> https://lnkd.in/gjrJBZaZ #HumanCenteredDesign #CreativePractice #DesignThinking #DesignEthics #DesignFutures #InterdisciplinaryDesign #DesignLeadership

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