Summary
Too often we withhold design efforts for "the best of times" - to make improvements or optimize already good systems. In this talk, Emily Danielson highlights the importance of design skills in "the worst of times." Drawing on experiences following Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida, Danielson will illustrate the impact of applying design skills to recovery work, such as: Optimizing data collection to better triage the needs of flooded homeowners (and the data systems being used by the FBI to take down a corrupt contractor) The importance of service design and cultural competence in food distribution Contextual research for a mobile application on a shrimp boat at 2am Those who attend can expect to leave with the confidence to act quickly in contributing their skills as designers following a disaster; the knowledge of how to advocate for design efforts in states of emergency; and an understanding of the value design can bring in times of chaos.
Key Insights
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Design can create clarity in chaos during disasters.
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Service design is critical for effective disaster response.
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Visual communication needs to be user-centric and effective in conveying information promptly.
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Understanding community needs is essential for meaningful design interventions in recovery efforts.
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Rapid and iterative design processes are necessary in disaster contexts due to the fast-changing environment.
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Direct user research is vital, focusing on accessibility and usability for affected communities.
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Volunteer engagement can provide first-hand insights into community needs post-disaster.
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Collaborative team building can help leverage diverse experiences and skills for more effective recovery efforts.
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Data visualization is often lacking post-disaster and can significantly impact the efficiency of response efforts.
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Designers must be adaptable and patient when working in disaster recovery contexts.
Notable Quotes
"I hope that by the end of this talk you'll understand how our design skills can help to create clarity in times of chaos."
"I've lived in the southern US through countless storms, and they're sort of unavoidable, becoming our new normal."
"Most of their services were being used by people who were not directly impacted by the storm, but rather those there to support the relief effort."
"This communication was primarily intended for management, but the president decided it was so important it was sent to over 10,000 employees."
"In times of crisis, I was so excited about helping that I let my design principles slide."
"It's important that you continue to adhere to your design principles even in chaos."
"You have to put on your own oxygen mask before putting on someone else's."
"Think about minimizing a user's stress—what is going to be easiest for them?"
"You won't be able to solve everything; focus on the problems you can tackle."
"Designers will not be recruited; it's our responsibility to witness what's happening and plug our skills into making a difference."
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