“Design Thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems in an attempt to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding.” - Interaction Design Foundation. 

Birth work is creative. It is realtime collaborative design work. It requires empathy and deep research skills. Design thinking for Birth Workers brings an innovation framework together with an expansive lived practice to support birth workers in building digital, physical, and/or service -based products. Just like birth work, design thinking puts client (user) needs and experiences at the center, it asks us to trust the process and be present with each stage, letting go of preconceived ideas to make way for new ones to emerge. Many of the products we use everyday were created using this framework. 

 Together we will:

-Move through the phases of Design Thinking.

-Do breakout sessions on prototyping and testing new ideas. 

-Apply Design Thinking to Birth work

**No prior design experience is necessary***

This is the first workshop in a series called Birth Innovation by Emily Varnam. Emily is a doula, CPM Student and UX designer. She has used design thinking to help create digital and physical products for sexual and reproductive health with the Nike and MAS innovation labs.

5 scholarship seats are available.

Who should request a scholarship:

Black, Indigenous, birthworkers of color

LGBTQIA birthworkers

For scholarships please email emilyvarnam@gmail.com for the workshop link.