Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Summary
The Shakers exemplified both the principles and the courage to practice design in a manner that looked after the human experience of life on earth. We'll look behind the famous Shaker objects that inspired Dieter Rams and Jonathan Ives to appreciate the Shakers’ most important contribution to the American design canon; a transcendent user experience (ZX) warmed by principles of connectivity that we humans need in order to thrive. This talk is intended to remind designers who shape our experiences today that without this warmth the modern world grows cold around us.
Key Insights
-
•
Shaker design principles are rooted in user-centeredness, emphasizing empathy and deep attention to human behavior.
-
•
The Shakers were early adopters of minimalism and functional design—impacting modern design canon significantly.
-
•
Experiences in Shaker villages highlight the importance of 'psychological warmth' in design.
-
•
Design should foster ongoing conversation between designers and users, rather than one-off solutions.
-
•
Effective design nurtures individuals towards self-actualization while frequently encouraging collaboration and community.
-
•
A sense of belonging enhances user engagement and motivation, fostering connection to a shared cause.
-
•
Conscious design can counteract negative environmental impacts and promote community awareness.
-
•
Warmth in design is deeply rooted in both physical and psychological aspects, enhancing interactivity and user experience.
-
•
Recognizing the communal origins and impacts of user choices is essential in modern UX practices.
-
•
Industry acceptance of these humane design principles is growing, reflecting a shift towards warmer, more connected experiences.
Notable Quotes
"The Shakers were once the most successful communitarian society in America, advocating for values we cherish today."
"Their principled approach to design harmonized utilitarian with humanitarian values, a feat uncommon in today's design world."
"Many of the values we see in modern design discourse were pioneered by the Shakers, including 'form follows function.'"
"Shaker villages provide a unique context that reveals the interconnectedness of their design artifacts."
"The influence of Shaker design can be felt in the works of major figures like Dieter Rams and Jonathan Ive."
"Achieving self-transcendence connects us to the cosmos and the people around us, a theme observed in Shaker culture."
"Today's design often falls short by focusing on the individual rather than community and shared experience."
"The Shakers managed to embody psychological warmth in their design, which feels largely absent in current UX practices."
"Modern experiences are often too individualized, creating a disconnect from community and shared responsibility."
"We need to design environments that cultivate warmth and connectedness, as shown through the Shaker example."
More Videos
"Prototypes serve as tools for conversation, enabling feedback on how policies affect citizens' lives."
Ed MullenDesigning the Unseen: Enabling Institutions to Build Public Trust
November 16, 2022
"Organizations want to solve big existential, durable questions."
Peter LevinSolve a Problem Here, Transform a Strategy There: Research as an Occasion for Expanding Organizational Possibility
March 25, 2024
"The real positive comes from the relationships built in the process of setting OKRs."
Bria Alexander Benson Low Natalya Pemberton Stephanie GoldthorpeOKRs—Helpful or Harmful?
January 20, 2022
"We're thinking about as Verizon transforms into an experience company, Design ops is also undergoing that same transformation"
Kate Koch Prateek KalliFlex Your Super Powers: When a Design Ops Team Scales to Power CX
September 30, 2021
"Each of those sides contributes revenue to the bottom line in some way."
Amy MarquezINVEST: Discussion
June 15, 2018
"Psychological safety is the key ingredient for team effectiveness."
Brenna FallonLearning Over Outcomes
October 24, 2019
"You need to give people space to do their jobs without the expectation to overachieve."
Brian MossWhat Does it Mean to be a Resilient Research Team?
March 9, 2022
"User obsession is now our strategic goal, thanks to the data we've made available."
Adel Du ToitGet Your CFO To Say: 'Our Strategic Goal is User Obsession'
June 10, 2022
"Design remains core to what we do; we’re sort of like super apps design plus."
Kate Koch Jean-Claire FitschenFlex Your Super Powers: When a Design Ops Team Scales to Power CX
September 29, 2021
