Design thinking leaders to visit GVSU for multiple events

Two national leaders in design thinking theory and practice will visit Grand Valley State University to discuss the importance of storytelling and education in design thinking.

Shane Meeker, founder of storyMYTHOS and company historian and corporate storyteller at Procter and Gamble, will present “Story Telling: From Culture Building to Design Thinking and Creative Problem Solving” Wednesday, November 11.

A morning session will be offered on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus in the L. William Seidman Center (room 1008B) from 8:30-10 a.m. An afternoon presentation will take place from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center Grand River Room on the Allendale Campus. Both presentations will be followed by a workshop for a limited number of participants.

“Design Thinking requires good communication and sharing information through stories is one of the best ways to gain a common understanding of an issue, problem or the solution,” said John Berry, Design Thinking Initiative director at Grand Valley. “Learning how to better communicate serves the Design Thinking Initiative and any situation where good communication is important.”

Meeker is an accomplished storyteller who has helped hundreds of teams, brands and organizations develop the stories they want to create, tell and sell, including The Walt Disney Company, American Express, Columbia Sportswear and General Motors. Meeker currently teaches graduate story-based classes at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP School of Design, and also teaches in the Illinois Institute of Technology’s masters of design program.

Hugh Musick will present “Design Thinking at IIT and Impacts on Organizations” Tuesday, November 17, from 6-7 p.m. in the L. William Seidman Center (room 1008B). The presentation will be preceded by a reception from 5-6 p.m.

Musick is currently the associate dean and director of Executive Education at IIT Institute of Design in Chicago. His talk will explore educating students on the principles and theories that encompass design thinking as well as the impact of design thinking in various types of organizations, such as non-profits, governments and educational institutions.

Musick’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Seth Starner, president of New North; Jodi Watson, president of Consumer Direct for Wolverine World Wide; and Ryan Schmidt, director of New Business Innovation for Steelcase.

To register for the aforementioned events, visit the Design Thinking Initiative website.