I specialize in conceptualizing and leading learning experiences about design.

How to do human-centered design

I have been teaching design thinking since 2011. As the lead of the Advanced program at the Hasso-Plattner-Institut School of Design Thinking in Potsdam from 2015-2018, and as a lecturer at the Stanford d.school from 2011-2013, I planned course curriculum and created presentations and activities on a wide range of practical design thinking topics.

  • Topics we can cover
    • Doing qualitative interviews and cultural probes
    • Externalizing and synthesizing fieldwork findings
    • Turning user needs into product and service concepts
    • Communicating insights: preparing useful presentations and effective design deliverables
    • How to get the most out of innovation processes within an organizational context

How to structure and deliver workshops

I can help you not only learn how to use design methods, but also improve the way you teach, coach, or facilitate them.

  • Topics we can cover
    • How lifelong, experiential learning actually works
    • How to conceptualize a design workshop
    • Finding the balance between “best practice” and adding your own expertise

How to sketchnote and communicate visually

This is a crucial skill for creative thinkers of all kinds, and I can get you started, whether you’ve got thirty minutes or three days. See Whiteboard Warrior for a list of resources to get you started, then get in touch and let’s arrange a consultation.

  • Topics we can cover
    • Building your visual vocabulary
    • Structuring your visual notes
    • Easy drawing techniques to control the “look” of your work
    • Graphic facilitation
    • Making the most of digital tools like iPads

Teaching and writing, 2013-present

Conference talks and keynotes

  • “From Data to Wisdom: An Introduction to Design Synthesis” (2019)
    • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) New Work Academy – with Simply Secure
  • “Designing Security” (2019)
    • Brussels, BE – FOSDEM 2019, Open Source Design devroom – with Simply Secure
  • “Network Thinking” (2018)
    • Nürnberg, DE – Südwolle Global Sales Meeting
  • “Ingredients for Innovation: Crafting the Design Thinking Learning Experience” (2016)
    • Łódź, PL – European Consortium of Innovative Universities
  • “Exploring Diverse Learning Styles”, HPI D-School d.confestival (2017)
    • Potsdam, DE – a physical data visualization inviting participants to examine and learn about learning styles in design thinking – with Mana Taheri
  • “Student Design Thinking Projects”, HPI D-School d.confestival (2017)
    • Potsdam, DE – panel featuring HPI D-School alumni and their project implementation
  • “Human-Centered Design for Visitor Engagement”, Museums and the Web (2013)

Book chapters

Video lectures

Full university courses

  • Program Lead, Advanced Track, HPI School of Design Thinking
    • Potsdam, DE – 2015-2018 (5 semesters)
  • ME 377: Design Thinking Bootcamp @ the Stanford d.school
    • Palo Alto, CA – 2010-2011 (2 quarters)
  • EDUC 338x: Innovations in Education @ the Stanford d.school
    • Palo Alto, CA – 2011-2012 (2 quarters)

Academic short courses and guest lectures

  • Introduction to Design Thinking, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2018
  • Design and Innovation, Chalmers University of Technology, 2018
  • Leadership for Innovation, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, 2018
    • Taught in Oxford, UK – with Lara Rosety and Joaquín Santuber

Short workshops: design thinking and innovation

  • Executive Transition Program, ESMT Berlin
    • Berlin, DE – with Bianca Schmitz
  • ARD / ZDF / RBB / Rundfunk Bayern
    • Berlin, DE – with Louisa von Löwenstein, Lisa Steingräber, and Till Witzleben
  • HPI Academy
    • DE and worldwide – numerous workshops with companies and universities
  • RWTH Aachen Executive MBA
    • Aachen, DE – with Jeremias Schmitt
  • Design Academy Australia
    • Melbourne, AU – workshops to redesign an underused urban space – with David Janka
  • Mannheim Business School
    • Mannheim, DE – with Dr. Daniela Ernestus, Michael Potstada, and Hendrik Dahlhaus
  • National Air & Space Museum
  • Anchorage Museum
  • Atlassian Software
  • d.school K12 Lab Network
    • Palo Alto, CA – workshops with teachers and student – with Dr. Susie Wise and Adam Royalty
  • Design Thinking Hawaii
    • Honolulu, HI – with Scott Witthoft, Thomas Both, Adam Royalty, and David Janka
  • Stanford Center for Professional Development
    • Palo Alto, CA – numerous workshops with visiting companies, including Carnegie Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Hyundai Motors, and United Nations Development Programme
  • University of Nairobi
    • Nairobi, KE – 5-day workshop with computer science students to reimagine transit infrastructure – with Dr. Terry Winograd, Dan Orwa, and Dr. Peter Waiganjo Waigacha
  • Academy of Art University
  • MotherCoders
    • San Francisco, CA
  • The York School
    • Monterey, CA
  • Sacred Heart Schools
    • Menlo Park, CA
  • Education Elements
    • San Carlos, CA
  • Citizen Schools
    • San Francisco, CA
  • Teach for America
    • San Francisco, CA

Short workshops: sketching and visual communication

  • Pop-Up Course: Whiteboard Warrior @ the Stanford d.school
    • Palo Alto, CA – several different courses, ranging from one evening to several days – with Kate Rutter and Adam Elmaghraby
  • “How I Learned to Love the Whiteboard”, HPI Academy Professional Track Connect & Do Day
    • Potsdam, DE
  • “Drawing for Creativity”, Bauhaus Summer School
    • Weimar, DE – with Carolin Scheffler and Julius Falk

Short workshops: advanced facilitation

Short workshops: UX design

  • “Between Paper and Code: Interface Design Basics”, HPI School of Design Thinking, 2015-2018
    • Potsdam, DE
  • “Gender and Iconography: Dude, Not Cool”, Pecha Kucha Berlin, 2015
    • Berlin, DE
  • “Gender and Iconography: Dude, Not Cool”, up:front Berlin, 2015
    • Berlin, DE
  • “Inclusive Design”, Tradecraft, 2014
    • San Francisco, CA