Ever wondered how Futures Design transcends traditional strategic planning? Discover how our team at OCAD U CO partners with leading organizations to craft solutions that not only meet today's needs but also pave the way for a sustainable and equitable future. Dive into our article to see how we're designing tomorrow, today. #DesignThinking #FuturesDesign #HumanCenteredDesign #OCADUCO
OCAD U CO
Business Consulting and Services
Toronto, Ontario 1,684 followers
We believe in shaping the future by understanding it.
About us
Business leaders are increasingly looking for more reliable, structured, and trustworthy ways to navigate complexity, ambiguity, and uncertainty in order to lead their organizations and teams with confidence. The need for innovative and future-facing creative problem solving is quickly increasing. To help face these challenges, we are equipping today’s leaders with the insight and confidence to drive unique and improved products, services and strategies to move beyond innovation theatre to real human-centred transformation. Our unique approach is grounded in a rigorous and disciplined process that integrates: 🔹Futures thinking | Start by understanding the driving forces at work today, and the multiple possible futures that need to be considered in order to build resilient strategies. 🔹Systems thinking | Visualize the relationships between system actors and work to understand the mechanisms at play in an ecosystem. 🔹Design thinking | Leverage a whole toolbox of design-led research methods to uncover critical human factors and people insights. OCAD U CO is the Futures Design Studio of OCAD University. We help leaders design more resilient products, services and strategies through our unique approach to futures design. OCAD University is Canada’s oldest and largest art, design and media university in North America, founded in 1876. Our work at OCAD U CO extends the history, vision and capabilities of OCAD University in order to help industry leaders and their teams leverage the insights and power of strategic foresight, systems thinking and design thinking.
- Website
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http://ocadu.co
External link for OCAD U CO
- Industry
- Business Consulting and Services
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Toronto, Ontario
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2019
- Specialties
- training, design thinking, creativity, innovation, design, executive education, corporate training, strategy , strategic foresight , workshops, labs, customer insights, design sprints, and design critiques
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
130 Queens Quay East
4R
Toronto, Ontario M5A 3Y5, CA
Employees at OCAD U CO
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Everton Lewis
Helping organizations set the direction for their customer experiences.
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Preet Singh
Builder, Designer of Products, Communities
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Alyssa Yuhas
Designer, Futurist, Creative / MDes, Strategic Foresight & Innovation
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Kelly Margani
Director, Strategy + Growth at Southren Group Co-Founder, The Wealthy Lawyer Podcast
Updates
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When learning is shared, it becomes a superpower for the whole team. Teams that grow together create a common language, anticipate change confidently, and drive purposeful innovation. If you’re considering how future-focused thinking could benefit your team, we highly recommend signing up for our Leading With Foresight course: https://lnkd.in/gy2u7irv 💡 #FuturesThinking #FutureDesign #StrategicForesight
Your partner for a fun, impactful, and growth-focused journey. I help enterprises, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits thrive with creative strategies. Let’s co-create a brighter future together.
Here’s the thing: Growth happens when we learn together, not apart. In a world where we’re often expected to figure things out alone, we forget the power of shared learning. When Joanna Ricka Royol, our Marketing and Client Support Lead, and I took OCAD U CO's Leading with Foresight course, it was a game-changer—not just for us, but for our whole team’s way of thinking. 🌟 It wasn’t just about picking up new tools like horizon scanning or scenario planning—it was about challenging each other’s perspectives, spotting blind spots, and building a future vision that benefits everyone. When teams grow together, they create a shared language, a common understanding of what’s next, and a readiness to adapt to whatever comes their way. Here’s how it changed our approach: 👉 Slide 1: Spotting Opportunities as a Team – Identifying trends together sparked ideas that shaped our strategic vision for the company. 👉 Slide 2: Debating Scenarios – Building scenarios as a team helped us prepare for different futures, ensuring we’re resilient and adaptable. 👉 Slide 3: Creating a Shared Vision – Tools like the “Cone of Plausibility” became part of our decision-making process, helping us map changes with a unified approach. 👉 Slide 4: Strengthening Our Culture – Learning together turned abstract ideas into real strategies, making each team member feel valued and heard. 💬 Why should learning stop at the individual level? When a whole team learns together, and when each member knows their superpower, they become unstoppable. Have you ever been part of a team learning experience that changed the way you work? 👉 Book a free chat with me to explore how future thinking can shape your team’s strategy: https://bit.ly/48y6o9F And if you’re ready to dive into the course that transformed our perspective, check out OCAD U Co's Leading with Foresight here: https://lnkd.in/eKeJMtm9 #Entrepreneurship #Startups #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth
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Staying ahead can feel daunting—but there’s reason to be optimistic. ☀️ Momentum is building around positive disruptions and innovative trends that not only address today’s challenges but also pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future. These shifts—rooted in sustainability, technological advancements, and societal progress—are shaping a future filled with opportunity and hope. At OCAD U CO, we believe positive change creates ripple effects that benefit everyone. By understanding these forces of change, businesses and individuals can adapt with confidence, thrive in uncertainty, and make a lasting impact. Explore these trends and how they’ll shape the future in our newest blog post written by Jale Gonulkapan Suder, MDes ⬇️ https://ow.ly/lp0m50UbEy8 #StrategicForesight #FuturesThinking #FutureDesign
Bright Future Awaits: Forces of Change with Positive Outcomes
ocadu.co
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The future is uncertain, but preparing for it doesn’t have to be! Our #StrategicForesight course equips you with the tools to do just that—helping you spot trends, identify opportunities, and prepare for what’s next. 🌟 You can now save up to 50% on our course by entering the code "DESIGNX50" at checkout! But, act quick as this sale will only run until the end of November! 🌟 This course is perfect for leaders, innovators, and visionaries ready to go beyond short-term planning and make decisions that matter for the long run. Let's build a future we're excited about! 🚀 https://lnkd.in/gy2u7irv #FuturesThinking #FutureDesign #LeadingWithForesight
Leading with Foresight | OCAD U CO
ocadu.co
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Ready to spark innovation, optimize your strategy, or create groundbreaking solutions? At OCAD U CO, we offer tailored programs designed to meet your unique challenges: ✨ Design Critique Lab: Perfect your product with expert analysis. ✨ Futures Design Sprint: Plan strategically and stay ahead of change. ✨ Solution Accelerator: Transform ideas into impactful solutions. ✨ Innovation Training: Build skills to tackle complex problems and align your team. Each service is packed with tools, insights, and expert guidance to help you adapt, innovate, and thrive. The future is yours, and we’re here to help! 💫 Learn more and begin your journey today at www.ocadu.co/case-studies! #StrategicForesight #FuturesThinking #FutureDesign
Case Studies | OCAD U CO
ocadu.co
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OCAD U CO reposted this
Embracing #SystemsThinking goes beyond methods—it’s about cultivating curiosity, empathy, and creative thinking to navigate today’s world. Inspired by Scott Marshall's approach, it encourages a view of our world as interconnected and dynamic. This mindset empowers individuals to find innovative, sustainable solutions by seeing beyond surface-level issues. Systems intelligence isn’t just for specialists; it's a crucial skill for anyone facing modern challenges. Read more from Houda Boulahbel on Medium: https://ow.ly/kGI250TZKO5 #FuturesThinking #FutureDesign #HumanCentredDesign
Thinking beyond the System: can imagination power systems intelligence?
houdaboulahbel.medium.com
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The future of learning is all about balance! Imagine combining fresh, relevant content, flexible, learner-centered experiences, and a big-picture, interconnected vision for education. Houda Boulahbel suggests we need a bit of each to make a real impact. It’s about mixing big-picture vision, human-centred design, and practical next steps. Tell us in the comments how you are approaching the changing landscape of learning!💡 https://ow.ly/tprj50U6TNv To learn more about #SystemsThinking, head on over to our website at https://lnkd.in/ga5rq-gb! #EducationInnovation #HumanCentredDesign #FuturesThinking
A linear thinker, a design thinker and a systems thinker walk into a bar…
medium.com
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OCAD U CO reposted this
Associate Professor Suzanne Stein, director of OCAD U’s Strategic Foresight and Innovation graduate program, is participating in the world’s largest gathering of futurists – the Dubai Future Forum - next week. This international conference promotes the highest quality thought leadership on foresight and futurism from around the world. Stein, who is also director of the Super Ordinary Lab, is the principal investigator and co-research lead with graduate researcher Danny Ghantous for the workshop, Evolving Foresight Skills: How Will We Shape the Future of Strategic Foresight? This workshop, held during the forum's Learnings Day on Nov. 21, was co-designed by foresight analyst and innovation facilitator Zan Chandler and will be facilitated with SFI grad Aisha Simpson. Participants will engage in an exploration of the evolving landscape of foresight skills – which are essential for navigating the complexities of an unpredictable world, and the The session features an interactive installation and World Café workshop, where participants will collaboratively map critical foresight skillsets, educational pathways, and the organizational needs of future futurists. Through this engagement, they will foster a rich international dialogue focused on advancing emerging foresight methodologies and skills, enhancing academic and professional development in futures studies, and integrating foresight practices within organizations. Photo credit: Zq Lee. About the Dubai Future Forum: https://bit.ly/3OrA9Qp About the Learnings Day: https://bit.ly/3UQbloD #foresightskills #foresightplanning #strategicforesigth #education #futures
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts Carrie Emblem! It was so great to have so many enthusiastic voices in one room. ☺️ A big thank you to everyone else who attended our event! We appreciate your time and engagement and are excited to continue the conversation. Stay tuned for more events by following us on LinkedIn! #StrategicForesight #FuturesDesign #OCADUCO
Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of attending a Fireside Chat with fellow Strategic Foresight and Innovation (SFI) alumni and distinguished design leaders, Max Rakov, MDes, and Ben McCammon, at OCAD U CO facilitated by N. Jenny Hwang. The discussion provided valuable insights into navigating careers and overcoming challenges in the strategic design landscape. A key takeaway was the importance of maintaining a reflective mindset, focusing thoughtfully on who we design and create for. In our fast-paced, solution-driven world, there’s often a tendency to rush to outcomes without fully examining the underlying problems or contextual realities. This oversight can result in solutions that don’t align with actual needs. Another highlight was the thought-provoking discussion on balancing user goals with business objectives, exploring whether they should be treated as separate or complementary. After the event, I enjoyed connecting with other SFI alumni to hear more about their work and interests. I’m especially interested in learning more about strategy and foresight, product marketing, and consulting. If anyone is open to a brief 30-minute chat on these topics, I’d be delighted to connect—feel free to reach out!
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In today's fast-paced business environment, relying solely on traditional strategy isn't enough. #StrategicForesight combines art and science, empowering organizations to anticipate uncertainties and continuously reinvent themselves. It’s essential for navigating the unpredictable tides of change. 🔍 Are you ready to incorporate foresight into your strategic planning? Head on over to our blog post written by Debaditya Sekhar Jena: https://ow.ly/WqoZ50TTgs7 💡 Contact us at www.ocadu.co/contact to learn more about our foresight processes and how we can bring forward-thinking innovations to life! #FuturesThinking #FutureDesign #OCADUCO
Why Does Strategy Need Foresight?
ocadu.co