Introducing Our New Design Thinking Contributor, Kristina Drury of TYTHEDesign

I’d like to welcome Kristina Drury who will be talking to you on the 2nd Wednesday of every month about design thinking. She will introduce you to design thinking in her next post and from there on out, help you to solve challenges in your business and creativity using this methodology. We thought WWM could use an infusion of how-to about the topic of design research – which endlessly fascinates me – so I invited Kristina to help out. Luckily, she was happy to oblige so without further ado…
- Chauncey

Article written by Kristina Drury – founder of TYTHEdesign

Lately, the term ‘design thinking’ has become quite a catch phrase. You hear about companies using it to tackle challenges, meet the needs of customers, even re-brand whole countries. Through my posts on whatwomenmake.com, I’m going to show you design thinking techniques that can be put to use to by designers and non-designers alike to aid in any organization or project. I’d like to be resource for those of us in the female entrepreneur community.

A bit about me…. I am a passionate social and environmental designer. I began TYTHEdesign in 2010 after working in the social sector where I observed organizations struggling with challenges that sprung from unsuitable structures and/or inefficient communication strategies. After working with these groups, I saw that they benefited from a design-based approach. I felt it was important to use my skills to make a positive impact for the greater good. Working with non-profits and social ventures, we support their communication and organizational needs.

Over the past year we have been fortunate enough to work with some great organizations including TEDxBrooklyn, Cleargreeen Advisors, SSBx (Sustainable South Bronx), and Crop to Cup. We’ve also designed organizational efficiency systems for a mobile soup kitchen, developed a life skills training program for women in a family shelter, and now we’re developing an after school program teaching life skills through entrepreneurship in the South Bronx. Here are some more of our recent case studies so you can see all the details.

Prior to that, I was the New York Chapter Head for Project H Design, a charitable organization focusing on product design for social change. I was one of the lead designers of one of their programs called Learning Landscape. It was an educational, active learning playground, built in locations from Tanzania to Mexico. It was featured at Cooper Hewitt’s 2010 National Design Triennial. I worked also as the Assistant Director at the Pratt Design Incubator for Sustainable Innovation, in the consulting wing of an organization that looks to support and grow social/environmental enterprises. We worked with with clients like UNESCO, WestElm and Starbucks and a series of small non-profits and entrepreneurs.

Look for my first tips on the second Wednesday of every month!

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KRISTINA DRURY is an expert in design thinking and the Executive Director of TYTHEdesign, a consultancy serving the social sector based in New York City.  She has a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from McGill University and a Master’s in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute. Feel free to contact her if you have questions at all! She’s here to help.

Thursday • August 11, 2011 • by Chauncey Zalkin

Category: Design Thinking, Interviews, Kristina Drury

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