Kevin Bethune

When Space Becomes Home. A new talk with my partner Mardis Bagley about how spaceflight is evolving to make it easier for the rest of humanity to reach for the stars. Which technologies can support our bodies and minds in an extreme environment featuring microgravity, isolation, stress, limited resources, and radiation exposure? We discussed the role of colors, sound design, sensations, textures, food, culture, rituals, and the neuroscience of rest. We also discussed why we go to space and accelerate innovation in biotech, material science, resource extraction and human resilience. Home is the familiar. It is safe, personalizable, and a place of community. Exploring space gives us the perspective to see that home is also planet Earth, and that she needs care and protection. In Yuri Gagarin's own words: "Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it." Nonfiction XPANSE Zina Jarrahi Cinker, Ph.D. #space #architecture #sensory #neuroscience

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When it comes to design, women athletes are demanding more functional, less revealing uniforms. Here's another instance where design can help focus on what matters, athletic prowess, versus what looks flashy. Let's design to empower. #REIT #design #Olympics #womensports #collegeathletes https://lnkd.in/eRRVXAaV

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🌟 A powerful move by Both& Apparel and Finnegan! 🌟 Last week, Both& Apparel made the bold decision to open source all their designs. ❗️This isn't just a generous act; it's a call to action for the entire industry. Over the years, Both& has empowered countless genderqueer individuals worldwide, and now they're passing the torch to creators and brands alike. At Studio Lutalica, we were fortunate to work with them for a little while a few years back. As a fellow founder, I deeply resonate with this mission. It's not just about creating products; it's about serving our community with authenticity and respect. Simply put, flashy marketing or a 'unisex' collection isn't enough. True service requires genuine innovation and understanding. This initiative is a challenge to brands everywhere to step up and truly support trans and nonbinary people. Let's amplify this message. Comment below with brands you think should take notice. Together, we can drive real change in the industry. Thank you, Finnegan, for leading the way. Let's make some noise and ensure the industry takes note! 🚀 And since you're here, go and take a look at their closing sale. It's 🔥 https://lnkd.in/e_GtfN64 #LGBTQ #Business #Startups #OpenSource #Design

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I had the privilege of being one of the speakers at 2024 Aiga Design Conference, AIGA Design, where we tackled some of the most pressing issues shaping the future of design today. One of the key themes was around margins and marginality, emphasizing the importance of giving space to underrepresented voices, non-Western design histories, and design practices that live outside the mainstream. We also explored inclusivity and accessibility, addressing the need to create design systems that work for everyone, including neurodivergent individuals, differently-abled persons, and historically excluded communities. Another exciting theme was community-centered and co-creation design, where we discussed how involving communities in the design process leads to more relevant and empowering outcomes. Decolonizing design and challenging traditional Eurocentric conventions was a recurring topic, pushing us all to think about how to create a truly global and inclusive design practice. The discussions around design as a tool for social change were particularly inspiring, highlighting how design can amplify marginalized voices, tackle systemic inequalities, and drive societal progress. The focus on cultural representation, narrative storytelling, and technological innovation showcased how we can preserve cultural identities and histories through design, while also addressing the ethical implications of our work in the digital era. Overall, it was an inspiring event that reminded me of the critical role design can play in shaping a more inclusive, equitable, and impactful future for all. Thank you again all for connecting! #DesignForChange #InclusiveDesign #DecolonizingDesign #CommunityDesign #SocialImpact #CulturalRepresentation

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🚀 Feeling Incredibly Inspired Post-MIT AI Conference! We've just returned from an enlightening AI conference at MIT, and we're brimming with new ideas and insights! Here's a quick recap of our experience and the key takeaways: Industry-Specific AI Applications: AI is transforming healthcare, finance, and law with innovations in health insurance, competition with Big Pharma, and computational law, leading to significant industry changes. AI Creative Tools: AI is revolutionizing creativity by enhancing and redefining the creative process, serving as a catalyst that augments human potential and enables new forms of expression. AI Literacy and Education: Increasing focus on educating about AI's implications to bridge understanding gaps, with emphasis on accessible education to empower diverse audiences. Decentralization of AI: Shift towards decentralized AI, enhancing user control and transparency, reflecting a broader push for democratization and inclusivity in technology. Ethics and Responsibility: Growing focus on ethical AI development, integrating principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability to address risks and promote responsible use. Governance and Sustainability: Discussions on establishing effective AI governance frameworks to ensure ethical and sustainable development, highlighting the need for stakeholder collaboration. Enterprise Adoption and Investment: Insights into AI adoption trends in enterprises and investment opportunities, reflecting keen interest in the evolving landscape of AI in business sectors. We're excited to leverage what we've learned to enhance our work and contribute to the advancement of AI. A big thank you to all the speakers and organizers for such a fantastic event! #AI #MIT #Innovation #Technology #Networking

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The Fortune Chair announced this past week by JUMBO is a textbook example of design effectiveness. In a crowded marketplace, true innovation still shines through. 🪑✨ This design shows that simplicity can be powerful. It focuses on manufacturing ideals, material selection, and effective forms for both aesthetics and functional value. Such attention to what truly matters turns this chair into an instant classic. It’s a reminder that great design doesn’t need to be complicated. Innovation is possible in any industry or product type. You never know what can be achieved until creative action is taken. 🎨 If you’re not investing in ongoing innovation, you’re missing opportunities. Make your products more captivating, cost-effective, and desirable to new audiences. https://lnkd.in/egA3c535

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How will AI change the practice of workplace design? Our own Jason Rosenblatt contributed his passion and expertise on this topic to this piece from Interiors and Sources. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/gY6HC8tv #workplacedesign #interiordesign #AI #workplacestrategy

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Core77 published a fun and interesting look/ read about color theory (Sourced from a book published in 1930). It had recommendations for factories to create comfort for people with monotonous occupations. It also covers schools and medical environments. I love the illustrations and also the human-centered thought (and science). In 1810 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832 CE) first linked color to psychological and behavioral impacts. However, the Egyptians also had strong associations with color and healing, as well defined meanings, theorized/documented by archeologists. No doubt many ancient societies/communities used color for healing and behavior modification. Native American, Inuit, Arab, Persian, and other indigenous populations also used color for meaning and/or healing. I'm fascinated by the many dimensions of color! Huedata Inc. has been creating an LLM/AI system for 10 (or more?) years, using historical evidence and science. They offer consulting services and fee-based access to their unique color recommendations tool for product, brand, etc. They are also studying use for color as an intervention tool for global issues. I recommend taking a look if you haven't already after checking out the article. #color #colortheory #colortherapy #chromatics #healing #design #designers #designstudents #colorscience #coloranalysis #ai #chromabliss

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You think you know what customers want, but you can’t be sure until they try it. That's where prototypes come in💡 When you show an early prototype to users, you get "the secrets of the future" as Mike Maples Jr. says. For product creators, these raw, unfiltered reactions are gold. So don't wait until you have a finished product, or polished screens. Put your ideas in front of real users as early as possible. That'll help you build what your customers truly want. #prototypes #earlyusers

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Check out our latest discussion on the Future of Design Education & Academia! It was a fantastic session filled with insightful and forward-thinking conversations with Helen Armstrong, Diane Pfeiffer and Sheng-Hung Lee. In case you missed it. . If you missed it, don't worry—we've just uploaded the recording to our YouTube channel. Don't forget to watch and join the conversation about where design education is headed next! #designeducation #innovation #AI

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Are your prototypes looking a little... scary? 👀 FFANY and the Atlanta Shoe Market are just around the corner. Is your product still missing that final "wow" factor? You’re not alone. Too often, the clock ticks down, and those last-minute details start feeling like hurdles. 30% of brands admit their designs don’t hit the mark right up until the deadline. That's where extra eyes, hands, and ideas make all the difference. Enter ReBorn Designs – the 11th-hour partner your team deserves. When things aren’t quite where you want them to be, we step in with fresh insights and practical solutions. How we help: • Rapid prototyping for that “yes, it’s finally right” moment • Extra hands on deck without the full-time hire commitment • Seamless collaboration to fit into your process, not disrupt it Want more info? Click- https://lnkd.in/eDZakJb5 P.S. ♻️ repost for anyone in crunch mode!

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Have you listened to The Design Imposter Podcast? Monique and I have some remarkable guests in the coming weeks and the conversations are 🔥 Actually, our pre-recording vibe checks have been 🔥🔥🔥 We really need to start recording the vibe checks for b-roll. ---- Here's one of my favorite episodes which discusses the benefits of working in a corporate environment over freelancing and entrepreneurship. https://lnkd.in/eYKW3sTA

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After feedback from this summer's #PortfolioBlitz, Ishita Dey improved her portfolio and saw a 66% boost in views and 76% improvement in engagement! Learn how she set up her analytics and what she measured. (Shoutout to Jacqueline Smith for assisting with the article). 🔗 Ishita's Article: https://lnkd.in/gs4tu3rt 🔗 More about the Portfolio Blitz: https://lnkd.in/gCU_KysE #ProductDesign #Analytics #UX #UserExperience

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✨ What’s your signature hallmark as a designer? Share it below. Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about originality, integrity, and innovation. And as designers, we walk a fine line between being inspired and staying uniquely ourselves. In today’s episode (114) of the Design Business Freedom Podcast, we explore what it truly means to be inspired versus what it means to copy. 🎙️Here’s what’s inside: ✔️ What is the fine line between inspiration and plagiarism? ✔️ Why defining your design hallmarks is essential. ✔️ How to bring originality to every project without losing your signature style. This episode is your reminder to dig deeper, push creative boundaries, and honor the privilege of designing something truly one-of-a-kind! 🎧 Tap the link below to listen now, or catch it on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dtxG-xRx . . . #interiordesignstyle #interiordesignerlife #designhallmark #designbusinessfreedom

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The future, by design: Bluem launches today. Design and creativity have always been my obsession, driven by their power to transform everyday experiences for the better. At Amazon, I led the unification of the global brand identity and reimagined customer experiences in health tech for Amazon Halo. But it was my 7-year journey leading design for the MARS conference that truly fired me up, placing me at the intersection of AI, robotics, and space exploration. Working with these presenters to bring their research and technology to the stage truly ignites my imagination on fire each year. Today, I'm thrilled to announce the launch of Bluem—a brand design and operations firm dedicated to amplifying the voices of visionaries building tomorrow. At Bluem, we combine deep tech experience with strategic brand thinking to help translate groundbreaking innovations into compelling narratives and experiences. Our services include: - Brand strategy for cutting-edge tech companies - Experience design that bridges complex ideas and user needs - Communication development to make the future tangible today To the inventors and researchers shaping our future—we're here to be your partners, turning your breakthroughs into brands that resonate and inspire. Our goal for this year? To help launch three transformative technologies that will redefine their industries. The future is emerging now, and Bluem is here to cultivate the way. If you're pushing boundaries in AI, robotics, or space technology and need a partner to tell your story, let's connect. Dan Forbes Founder & Brand Cultivator Bluem Design

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🌟 Introducing Tac Tile: A Game That Brings Everyone Together 🌟 Play is a powerful way for children to learn, connect, and grow, but it’s often limited by barriers—especially for visually impaired kids. I’ve seen how these children are often separated from their sighted peers during playtime, which inspired me to rethink the norms of how kids play together. This led to the creation of Tac Tile, a modular toy designed to foster inclusion. Tac Tile encourages both collaborative and solitary play, giving all children—visually impaired or sighted—a chance to interact as equals. Its tactile features and modular design promote exploration, communication, and teamwork, making play more than just fun—it becomes a shared, meaningful experience. By breaking conventional boundaries, Tac Tile not only offers a playful way to socialize but also encourages children to help and support one another through play. It’s a step toward creating a world where every child feels included and empowered. A heartfelt thank you to shekhar bhattacharjee, Anoop Saxena, and Bhaktadas Bora for your invaluable support and guidance throughout this journey. Your insights and encouragement have played a crucial role in bringing this project to life! 🙏 #InclusiveDesign #TacTile #PlayForAll #TactilePlay #Accessibility #ToyDesign #InclusivePlay #DesignForGood #SocialImpact

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