MENGENAI EPISOD INI
Will Nickley sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of the Thinking through Design podcast.
“A big part of their role as designers, ultimately, is to decide when a particular type of making is appropriate” Will Nickley
In this episode Will discusses design-based making, creative thinking, and the value of bringing ideas forward before we know exactly where they will lead. Will explains how sketches, prototypes, diagrams, and even puppets can help us explore possibilities, make sense of complex problems, communicate with others, and test ideas before committing to a solution. Through a playful exercise (that listeners can follow along with) called the Ideation Equation, he demonstrates how people approach the same prompt in different ways, revealing the value of diverse perspectives.
The conversation also explores Will’s work in codesign with young people, including queer and trans youth, to improve healthcare experiences. Using familiar everyday objects, participants express experiences that might otherwise be difficult to articulate to help shape more inclusive approaches to care. Will reflects on the responsibility researchers have to listen, communicate what they learn, and be honest about what their work can accomplish. And we discuss the role of AI in design education and the importance of keeping people at the center while design tools and processes evolve.
Will Nickley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at The Ohio State University. His work explores how design, making, and codesign can support social impact, particularly by empowering young people and communities to help shape more equitable futures. Through interdisciplinary collaborations spanning design, engineering, social work, and healthcare, he investigates how people use tangible tools and creative activities to explore ideas, communicate lived experiences, and develop more inclusive solutions. His work includes collaborations with community organizations to improve healthcare experiences for queer and trans youth.
Links mentioned in the podcast:
Ideation Equation
CoDe Rainbow
You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
