November 18, 2023Comments are off for this post.

Just Another Human-Centered Astronaut

Gioia Arieti speaks on wide-time and the reasons why extending our lives is wrong.
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Gioia is no ordinary designer, she is on a path to revolutionize the way we live and work by widening, not extending, time.

She holds the title as Human-Centered Designer, which makes you instantly raise your eyebrows, but wait… she became an analogue astronaut and her principle on wide-time gained coverage in an American innovation magazine, TEDx, a Space conference in France. Moreover, she clinched an art prize from a European Space community that speaks volumes about her exceptional contributions to the field.

Ok, we have so much to unpack here: have you heard of “wide-time”? According to Gioia, Wide-time stands for time that is measured in width, rather than length. A time unit that measures the intensity with which one perceives time. For example, have you ever felt like more can happen in a week of holiday than a whole month of work? I am sure you know what I mean. 

So I am more than honored to portray her and ask a few questions to understand how everything started:

The title of Human-Centered Designer has been existing for a long time and it represents an approach to product and process development that prioritizes understanding human behavior and needs, in contrast to the more conventional method of building a product first and then identifying a market need. I personally came across the concept of human-centered design when a friend suggested me to read the book “Change by Design” by Tim Brown, the CEO of IDEO, a company that was an early leader in design thinking.

Becoming an analog astronaut is an intense experience. Analog astronauts are civilians that join for long periods of time a research lab that simulates conditions of Space habitats and scenarios of Space travel to help researchers and space agencies understand how humans will cope with the challenges of Space missions. It's a way to anticipate, troubleshoot and fine-tune things before actually sending folks into the great beyond. Practically, that means, that after days of training for self-sufficiency and emergency situations, you are then plunged into a totally isolated and restricted environment with 4 strangers, your crew members, with which you will share most of your time. No natural light, same repetitive meals and strict routine with one mission: carry out experiments and testing some products that will be sent to the ISS.

But beyond the experience´s sheer craziness, it's an eye-opener to understand how much scenario planning work is needed for human psychology in Space, not only for the technical challenges. What struck me the most was the warped sense of time in this sensory-deprived realm.

About three years ago, during the first Covid summer, I couldn’t escape on a holiday but I still needed a break from my everyday job. So, I ditch the holiday idea and I took a break by enrolling in a Space camp. No physical travel, just a mental escape. I remember listening to astronaut Andreas Morgensen, space architects, and analog astronauts explaining how the perception of time changes in Space. Forget dates, a toilet breaking becomes a more relevant time unit to refer to events, such as something happening “before the toilet broke” or “after the toilet broke”, rather than saying “it happened on day 215 of the mission”. I had always had a similar feeling. Why is it easier to remember days when you associate them to an experience? Why do we need to travel to feel like more can happen in one day? Why does a weekend in Spain feel like it lasted a whole week and why can't I get that feeling in the place I live, in my ordinary life? These Space superhumans gave me perspective on how such a human feeling on Earth, is still relevant in space, and it hit me- Maybe we should ditch the calendar dates and base time on memorable events, and that's how I started the thought experiment of wondering “what if we create a calendar based on how we perceive time?”

Growing up in Italy exposed me to a wealth of Latin philosophy, and I was struck by how relevant the writings of philosophers like Seneca remain today. Seneca's famously wrote "the life we receive is not short, but we make it so". While routines can flatten our perception of time, it's impractical to constantly seek extreme novelty, you can’t always go bungee-jumping off a cliff and it's important to also acknowledge the power of routines for personal development. So to widen time is important to strive for a variety of experiences: exploring more, taking risks, sometimes doing something foolish, this way you shift your perception of time from linear, to wide, intense, and after 30 years, you will have so many stories to tell, you will feel like you have experienced 60.

Therefore you can simply start to bring wide time in your life by becoming aware that distorting the perception of time is in your power, and secondly, by introducing “seasons” of change in your life, embracing small yet impactful shifts, like celebrating New Year on September first, or taking different routes when cycling to work, or doing something new for a few weeks.

I had expected that the wildest experience would have happened when checking off something from my bucket list during March, when I try to do something new everyday. But truly, I was blindsided by the mental energy required to think of something new everyday, and the bias towards things I merely wanted to do instead of actually pushing my boundaries. Only after I started asking friends for suggestions, or started trying new things that required more than a day of prep, I ended up chasing experiences that actually blasted me outside my comfort zone.

You can check out my TED talk to get a deeper understanding of the thought experiment behind creating a calendar designed to distort our perception of time, or, you can visit the website directly to explore the calendar https://www.wide-time.com/

Go to the full photo session

GIOIA ARIETI



September 22, 2023Comments are off for this post.

Life Design Circle’s and the new work culture wave.

Young professionals across industries and their struggle with flexibility: Life Design Circle’s answers to the new work culture wave.

Daiana Vitalba is an innovator, explorer and founder of Life Design Circle. LDC is an online workshop that equip organizations and individuals with the tools and guidance to navigate their next change in a playful way. 

reading time: 3min

We are seeing a dramatic change in the work culture; we are coming to a realization that work is not all there is and mental health is now a priority. What’s your take on it?

I am very optimistic about the post-pandemic changes in the work culture, thanks to technology!

Experiments in countries like South Africa, Belgium, Iceland and Japan, have shown overwhelmingly positive results with a 4-day workweek with a 100-80-100 model (100% pay for 80% of time in exchange for 100% productivity). Many businesses are also testing the 3:2 model (3 in-person, 2 home office days), while a number of start-ups are embracing a fully-remote work culture, which is more cost-effective and taps into an international talent pool.

"Experiments in countries like South Africa, Belgium, Iceland and Japan, have shown overwhelmingly positive results with a 4-day workweek with a 100-80-100 model (100% pay for 80% of time in exchange for 100% productivity)

Employees experience increased satisfaction, as one of the top 3 values of the future workforce is flexibility (Deloitte study on Millennials and Gen Z´s, 2022). A better control over when, where and how to work allows them to prioritize wellbeing. Moreover, this new self awareness can notably relieve the burden of organizations, recognizing that mental health is highly individual.

Who needs more guidance? New generations or organizations to adapt to the new wave of employees?

Employees tend to adapt faster to new work models when given the 'green light.' Digital nomads have embraced such flexibility for years. However, organizations often face a trust dilemma.

Many businesses still cling to traditional beliefs, equating physical office presence with productivity and engagement. In truth, when the focus shifts to outcomes and trust is freely extended, professionals find greater inner motivation and appreciate the genuine sense of care.

For example, a senior business consultant shared with me how much she enjoys working in her pajamas for three years now. It saved her countless commuting hours, giving her more quality time with her fiancée. Recently, her company implemented limitless vacation days, yet she only “uses them responsibly” out of concern that means extra work for her team. Isn't it a great case of mutual trust?

"A senior business consultant shared with me how much she enjoys
working in her pyjamas for three years now
life design circle

Let’s clarify, is this workshop for designers only? Who needs this really?

Our programs require zero prior design experience. We are democratizing tools, originally rooted in design thinking, service design, strategic innovation, and consulting. Our current focus is on professionals across industries while championing gender equality, welcoming all genders.

Our experience demonstrates that professionals typically seek our programs when driven by external factors like layoffs or internal cravings for professional growth and work with purpose.

Please go through quickly how you came to realize the need of this project.

Like many entrepreneurs, my drive to launch this project is deeply personal. Battling burnout, IBS, and panic attacks for five years, while navigating a non-linear career path showed me the need for a more holistic life approach. All the tools I developed, I needed myself.

Connecting with professionals across industries, I realized I wasn't alone. Ambitious individuals faced health issues due to performance pressure, and creatives struggled to find direction.

Discovering design thinking, I had an epiphany. Engaging both our creative and analytical skills, the process isn't limited to business challenges - it empowers us to address complex life issues. Inspired by Stanford University's Life Design Lab, I embraced the mission to make it accessible.

"The process empowers us to address complex life issues,
inspired by Stanford University's Life Design Lab

Can you make an example and what are the tools for the program?

It's amusing how people often wonder what a tool looks like. In Life Design we use 5 types: design tools, journaling tools, energisers, discussion questions and visualizations.

Design tools resemble mind maps and help us capture, cluster and organize thoughts and ideas. Journaling tools, in the form of a daily log, guide us on how to collect new information while we test an idea in the real world. Energizers and discussion questions are primarily used in a group setting, helping participants maximize knowledge sharing. Visualizations are the most powerful way to tap into our subconscious and imagine different futures.

Impostor syndrome is real and many struggle with it, do your tools help with this issue?

Unfortunately, imposter syndrome is not only limited to young professionals. To explain the term - it's a belief that one isn't as capable as others perceive. It can lead to burnout, as these professionals tend to either over-perform or people-please in an attempt to prove their worth.

Our methods don´t target imposter syndrome directly. However, they encourage individuals to examine an issue from multiple perspectives, noticing how their peer, family or cultural biases overshadow their own opinion. In a way, we empower professionals to trust their own judgment.

"in regards to Impostor syndrome, our methods encourage individuals to examine an issue from multiple perspectives, noticing how their peer, family or cultural biases overshadow their own opinion. In a way, we empower professionals to trust their own judgment.

Burnouts are a bitch we all know… does your workshop for organizations also help to overcome and understand?

Employee burnout is a loss on both ends, with turnover expenses often exceeding twice an employee salary. Recovery process can take from 3 months up to 1 year. Many only realize the problem when it is too late. 

Life Design can prevent burnout by promoting self-awareness in finding activities that increase one's energy on a daily basis. We advocate for adding the word “rest” to the work-life balance.

What’s the real deal after the program?

To meet professionals´demand for flexibility, we are going even more digital!

Our 30-day group program for professionals across industries to restart their job and life is soon going to be offered as a self-paced online course with the option of joining a cohort with extra group sessions. We aim to maintain a professional network for an ongoing resource exchange and idea sharing even beyond the program´s completion.

Life Design Circle’s and the new work culture wave.

Any exciting experiences / projects related to LDC coming soon? What would you like to communicate

More surprises are coming! In the past year, we partnered up with the Danish engineer union IDA to adapt a few of our tools to their internal members ́ platform. We can't wait for the results!

There will be a few opportunities for individuals to connect virtually and bring a specific problem related to their job or life to our virtual Circle Jam. Our most exciting project ahead is turning our program into an online course that will allow more professionals to benefit from the tools. 

Stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn for updates!

Connect with Daiana Vitalba @daianavitalba

Explore Life Design Circle and Life Vision workshop at https://www.lifedesigncircle.co/

Are you an entrepreneur in search for a professional photoshoot? Get in touch with me here

March 31, 2023Comments are off for this post.

Meet me in Space, transcending the Turkish art of Marbling

Meet me in Space, transcending the Turkish art of Marbling

Read more

July 31, 2022Comments are off for this post.

The Gift Unboxing

Framing Identities 2021 - entry call
Copenhagen Photo festival

More and more international students look to study abroad. Denmark is one of the top five
countries in Europe to offer English-taught university programs and where the government
subsidised the students to study and retain them to contribute back to Danish society while
working. In recent years, according to the Ministry of Higher Education, only one in five
(21%) of the English-speaking students find work in Denmark after completing their
education.

As an undergrad myself and working in Denmark for ten years I can tell why students leave
this country just after their graduation. I had hard times here but somehow managed to get through so many obstacles and barriers like language for example, the cold, dark winters and last but not least bonding with Danes. I would bet that finding a job and fitting in a Danish working environment is the hardest part after completing the studies, that is why many leave as soon as their unemployment insurance runs out. But for those who decide to stay longer, what does it mean to live in the happiest nation in the world?

I had the opportunity to interview 8 students and workers living in town who shared similar experiences and stories. We also talked about identity and embracing another culture and how they deal with confrontation with this Nordic society. Because of time constraints I decided to go forward with one of them I met this summer here in Copenhagen. Her name is Gift... yes, like a gift, or if one prefers Isabella, her second name. She is a student at Roskilde University, currently studying International Bachelor's in Global Humanities, majoring in Communication and International Studies, while working as barista for a small coffee chain called Impact Roasters.

Gift is from Nairobi, Kenya, she moved to Copenhagen in 2017. After living for 20 years in her city, she felt the necessity to expand her horizons abroad and finally got approval to study in Denmark. I can tell she is the most extroverted person I met, a blast of energy, enthusiasm, passion and attitude. Yet, after four years living in Denmark she went through some deep personality changes; from being 100% extrovert to an “introverted extrovert” as she likes to define herself.

Growing up in Nairobi life was more spontaneous in every aspect; She would leave the doorstep with or without planned destination, the days were assured of new social interactions full of laughter and sometimes tears with strangers; loud streets full of life, people shouting at each other from opposite corners of the streets, the hot Nairobi sun, the music filled buses and matatus, people enjoying simple things like smiling at a random stranger or dancing in the streets; neighbourhood kids running around the blocks, young adults hanging out at each others house randomly since they have no jobs or school lesson to attend to. In those days she felt like the community still looked out for her.

She defines happiness as more of a social aspect and kindness, where a stranger becomes a friend through “hello”. Despite speaking an excellent Danish language and attending one of the most “hippie” universities in Denmark, -as she defines it-, she finds it hard to make new friends. Here she came to learn that Danes take a considerable time before they call you a friend. She says: “It doesn’t matter how long one has known a Dane or how well one thinks one knows them or how much one likes each other’s company; you are not friends until both parties agree that they are friends. Only then one does introduce a Dane as a friend. Otherwise, they just refer to them as ‘people I know’”.

There is no such thing as typical seasons in Kenya: it is either a long or short rainy season. Whereas in Denmark there is constant change between rain, snow, sun, (that never seems hot enough according to her) and cold winds. The change happens every few months but she has learnt not to be shocked when she experiences all the seasons in an hour or while moving from one location to the next around Denmark.

Time moves fast as the weather here. Four years have gone; as she puts it: here I am more aware of ‘time running out’, yet somehow looking at most of my Danish peers, they live their life with no worry of tomorrow. Differences in our upbringings and beliefs is instilled in us, plus the welfare system in Denmark does the rest. Whilst I experience all the benefits of having residency in Denmark, I can’t help but miss home a little.

Life in Denmark has changed her a lot and shifted her future perspectives too. As a full time student with only 80 hours of work per month to pay back her studies, life is not that easy. Even though she wanted to pursue international studies and communication since she was nine, studying right now is not as enjoyable as it seems; in this moment of life she has changed her plans of pursuing the Master studies right after the Bachelor and instead thinking of taking some time off to follow her passions like singing, dancing, modelling and writing poems for the poetry club. “I would love to see where that leads. This is the part of life's journey I call it the ‘Gift Unboxing’”.

Copyrights ©Gianni Pisanu

January 18, 2022Comments are off for this post.

TDK Tuesdays at Designit

World leader Advertise agency Designit explain the process and works for TDK "The Design kids" a global community of undergrads designers.

#eventphotography #design #adagency #photography

September 23, 2021Comments are off for this post.

AM Copenhagen

Had the opportunity last September to snap some pics at the TDK Tuesdays event "Design can drive change" at AM design agency, where the founders Katrine & Simon had their take on Design. With Wiktorija Marshalek and Kristina May

August 15, 2021Comments are off for this post.

N’Fellows and the Story-doing process

Award-winning N'Fellows design agency in the heart of Copenhagen creates mind boggling ads for top brands like Greenpeace, Unicef, Heineken and more.
During an event I had the chance to document their thinking process called "story-doing". Here are few images I have selected.

#eventphotography #copenhagen #adagency

April 16, 2021Comments are off for this post.

Life Design Circle

LDC guides Millennials in making bold life decisions and encourage organizations to equip young talent with design tools and a leadership mindset to thrive holistically. Life Design methods turn problem-solving into a fun experience.

#videography #storytelling #creativedirection

February 15, 2020Comments are off for this post.

Rockstart

Rockstart is a scale-up incubator for start-ups with a global network and offices in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Bogotá, they’re on a mission to empower founders to drive positive change on a global scale. 

In 2020, just before the whole world chaos I documented an event in Copenhagen for AgriFood.

#photography #eventphotography #hireaphotographer

gianni-p

About the author

GiPP Design is a creative digital studio with a big passion for photography, videography and design. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Are you an entrepreneur or you need to communicate your next project? Get in touch for a professional free photoshoot: Write me at hello@gippdesign.com and let's have a chat. 

  

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