The Business Model is the Grid

Every design and design system is embedded within an underlying business model that defines how an organization understands, creates, and extracts value. This framework constrains all of the choices within it.

Unfortunately, this is a dynamic few designers are prepared to grapple with, let alone influence. This leads to a tremendous amount of confusion, frustration, wasted effort, and missed opportunities—not to mention the actual harms interactive systems enable. This talk will help practitioners gain a better understanding of the deeper context of their work and take action to better fulfill their aspirations of meeting real needs with greater intention while contributing to a more sustainable and humane world.