A Symbiotic Approach to User-Centered Design and Placemaking
Stephanie Edwards and James Stewart (Founders of Urban Symbiotic), will explore how to use insight from engagement to innovate design
A masterclass on using a multidisciplinary approach to placemaking: exploring how to use insight from engagement to inform and innovate design, ranging from public realm interventions to city strategies. This will be explored during the session by using previous case studies and projects to highlight not only the benefits of such engagement but of the final product.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Stephanie Edwards: Stephanie Edwards is an Architect, Urbanist, and Council member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Stephanie has principally focused on urbanism at several multi-disciplinary studios for over 12 years that include the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) and Urban Nouveau amongst several others. She is now a cofounding Director of Urban Symbiotic, insight, and research-led multi-disciplinary design practice that focuses on the user experience to provide unified design solutions that span across the physical, digital and social to innovate master planning, architecture and the public realm.
James Stewart: With a Masters in Product Design, James started his career working for Dutch design institute TNO and proceeded to develop products for some of the world’s largest consumer brands; Nike, Speedo, Philips, Drager, Daewoo, and OCE. Upon returning to the UK he took on the role of head of urban identity and communications for one of the world's largest engineering and design firms based in London. After building an internationally renowned creative unit, James left to co-found Urban Symbiotics, driven by a passion to drive insight into the design process through real-world user engagement.
James now uses his multi-discipline experience and user-focused approach to develop solutions to lead the engagement and multidisciplinary placemaking team.
Our speakers
Co-Founding Director of Urban Symbiotics
Stephanie Edwards is an Architect, Urbanist and Council member of the RIBA. She has focused on urbanism at several studios for over 12 years, including the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) and Urban Nouveau. She is co-founding Director of Urban Symbiotics, insight and research-led multi-disciplinary design practice that focuses on user experience to provide design solutions across the physical, digital and social to innovate master planning, architecture and public realm.
Co-founder of Urban Symbiotics
James Stewart started his career at Dutch design institute TNO and developed products for brands such as Nike, Speedo and Philips. He took the role of head of urban identity and communications in one of the largest engineering and design firms in London. He left to co-found Urban Symbiotics, driven by a passion to drive insight into the design process through real-world user engagement. James develops solutions to lead the engagement and multidisciplinary place making team.
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