Augustana Life Design Studio

What is a Life Design Studio?

Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, design educators and Silicon Valley innovators developed a hugely successful course and book “Designing Your Life” which has helped thousands change how they live.

Burnett and Evans believe that in order to change, people need a process – a design process- to help them figure out what they want and how to create it.

Designers don’t think their way forward, they BUILD their way forward. Rather than dreaming up

a lot of fun fantasies that have no relationship to the real world – or the real you- they show us how to build a future, brick by brick, how to approach our own life design challenges with the same curiosity and creativity that resulted in the creation of the light bulb, printing press and internet with as they give us tools and show us certain ‘mindsets’.

Through their training and development, Keri Bass and Laura Kestner-Ricketts are committed to bringing the concepts of Life Design & Design Thinking to the Augustana campus.

This eight-week immersive workshop is being offered to team members of CORE and OSID to build a solid foundation to enable life design curriculum and program development within their work with students.

“Life Design is a dynamic way for everyone to think about their own sense of purpose. It uses creative thinking and design process to develop ideas and live into things that bring joy and inspire curiosity. The Augustana professionals that have been working through this program over the last couple of months have identified not only their own interests and ways forward, but how they might work with students more effectively when talking about purpose and wayfinding” – Keri Bass, Assistant Director of Vocational Exploration and Career Coach

“Life Design Studio is the most immersive training and necessary one for transformational problem solving in all aspects of life. You will reflect on your own personal goals, professional development, & begin to think like a designer. Now it’s time to create the life you never imagined.” – Daisy C. Moran, Assistant Director, LGBT+ Coordinator

“It was an excellent opportunity to collaborate with IOP and OSID while having the space to create big ideas for problems that often seem unsolvable. I also appreciated the opportunity to work with odyssey planning because it allowed me time and space to create alternative futures, goals, and perspectives for myself!” – Jessica Estes, Career Coach

“My biggest takeaway has been learning new ways to help students get unstuck when they are having difficulty making decisions. By learning more ways to connect with students and I can better meet the needs of our students!” – Joe Giffen, Career Coach

” The program brought tremendous value in broadening my understanding of processes we can utilize to achieve success when it comes to decision making. The value of a structured approach is something that will hold firm in my mind after being a part of this workshop. I’d recommend anyone to participate and find the value that it brings.” -Ammuniki Wood, Career Coach

“Have you ever tried to draw a picture after turning it upside-down and the new perspective made it easier to sketch? As a child I wanted to be an artist, but today my career and life aspirations look very different. However, one lesson that Life Design reinforced was that many problems become easier to solve when you look at them from a different angle (or in this case many angles). I think everybody should try Life Design who desires to push their goals to new heights, encourage outside-of-the-box thinking, or wants a new perspective on a problem/goal they’re having trouble turning “upside-down.” – Steven Nowinski, Employer Relations Manager

“Life Design is an interesting way to look at problems and situations in your work, education, or personal life and find new solutions. I enjoyed working with my colleagues to break through barriers in decision making processes. I think this will be very beneficial as we work with students during their advising, vocation, and career meetings.” – Bobbie Tidball, Assistant Director of Internships

“The Life Design program provided the tools to reconsider tactics for making decisions, planning and goal setting. It created a space for creative and out of the box thinking in new and different ways. I’m excited to bring these new, creative concepts to life as I continue my work with Augie students in my role as a Career Coach.” – Beth Ford, Career Coach

December

 2022: Augustana Life Design Studio: This two-day immersive workshop is being offered to faculty and staff interested in learning about Life Design and building a solid foundation to enable life design curriculum and program development within their work with students

If you are interested in going through a training or learning more, please contact either Laura or Keri.