The Design Slate Fri, 15 May 2026 15:36:23 -0400 https://thedesignslate.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 The Design Slate yes ba82b43c-c217-5fa0-90db-2482fd97cb23 Progressive AE episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Progressive AE https://storage.buzzsprout.com/o5e4s7o3t7osyc09342xeu4ef768?.jpg The Design Slate Inclusive Design - Designing Spaces for All Inclusive Design - Designing Spaces for All In this episdode, Principal and Workplace Strategy Consultant Melissa Malburg sat down with Senior Interior Designer Jessica Griffis to discuss inclusive and universal design practices that promote belonging and allow everyone to bring their full-selves to a space. 

Inclusive design is a human-centered design process that embraces diversity. It’s a mindset that involves drawing from the full range of human experience to enable people of all backgrounds and abilities to participate to their fullest potential with a sense of belonging.  It’s about the person, and how space supports that person.

Check out the episode to learn more!

]]> In this episdode, Principal and Workplace Strategy Consultant Melissa Malburg sat down with Senior Interior Designer Jessica Griffis to discuss inclusive and universal design practices that promote belonging and allow everyone to bring their full-selves to a space. 

Inclusive design is a human-centered design process that embraces diversity. It’s a mindset that involves drawing from the full range of human experience to enable people of all backgrounds and abilities to participate to their fullest potential with a sense of belonging.  It’s about the person, and how space supports that person.

Check out the episode to learn more!

]]> Progressive AE Buzzsprout-13722824 Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0400 1769 7 full false Neurodiversity in Housing Neurodiversity in Housing Progressive AE executive vice president Mike Perry sits down with Charlotte-based project manager Choli Aronson to discuss how implementing Universal Design can improve housing when it comes to neurodiversity. 

Mike leads our Universal Design consulting at Progressive AE. His passion for UD is centered on designing spaces where everyone is given what they need to succeed by eliminating physical and social barriers, allowing individuals and teams with diverse abilities to flourish. As an architect with dyslexia, Choli has a personal interest in design that takes neurodiversity into consideration. She is passionate about creating equitable opportunities in housing.

]]> Progressive AE executive vice president Mike Perry sits down with Charlotte-based project manager Choli Aronson to discuss how implementing Universal Design can improve housing when it comes to neurodiversity. 

Mike leads our Universal Design consulting at Progressive AE. His passion for UD is centered on designing spaces where everyone is given what they need to succeed by eliminating physical and social barriers, allowing individuals and teams with diverse abilities to flourish. As an architect with dyslexia, Choli has a personal interest in design that takes neurodiversity into consideration. She is passionate about creating equitable opportunities in housing.

]]> Progressive AE Buzzsprout-9643776 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0500 1302 full false State of the Library with Lee Van Orsdel and Kristin Meyer, Grand Valley State University State of the Library with Lee Van Orsdel and Kristin Meyer, Grand Valley State University Lee Van Orsdel, Former Dean of Libraries, and Kristin Meyer, User Experience Librarian talk with host Tod Stevens about the Mary Idema Pew Library. Built in 2013, the library was designed to give students a range of environments, from noisy to quiet; practice a new skill or play with a new idea; engage easily with each other in spaces engineered to accommodate the sounds of natural conversation, or curl up by the fireplace in a contemplative space with the best views on campus.

Lee, Kristin, and Tod discuss how libraries are like malls, talk about user experience and permissions culture, and the importance of an adaptable service model.


Learn more about the Mary Idema Pew Library by checking out these resources:

Meyer, K., & Fisher, E. S. (2017). Designed to meet our institutional mission. In S. Montgomery (Ed.), Assessing library spaces for learning (pp. 73-82). Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/library_books/16/

O’Kelly, M., Scott-Webber, L., Garrison, J., & Meyer, K. (2017). Can a library building’s design cue new behaviors? A case study. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 17(4), 843-862. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/672187/pdf

]]> Lee Van Orsdel, Former Dean of Libraries, and Kristin Meyer, User Experience Librarian talk with host Tod Stevens about the Mary Idema Pew Library. Built in 2013, the library was designed to give students a range of environments, from noisy to quiet; practice a new skill or play with a new idea; engage easily with each other in spaces engineered to accommodate the sounds of natural conversation, or curl up by the fireplace in a contemplative space with the best views on campus.

Lee, Kristin, and Tod discuss how libraries are like malls, talk about user experience and permissions culture, and the importance of an adaptable service model.


Learn more about the Mary Idema Pew Library by checking out these resources:

Meyer, K., & Fisher, E. S. (2017). Designed to meet our institutional mission. In S. Montgomery (Ed.), Assessing library spaces for learning (pp. 73-82). Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/library_books/16/

O’Kelly, M., Scott-Webber, L., Garrison, J., & Meyer, K. (2017). Can a library building’s design cue new behaviors? A case study. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 17(4), 843-862. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/672187/pdf

]]> Progressive AE Buzzsprout-7700002 Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:00:00 -0500 2352 1 4 full false Anthropology and Design with Daniel Maldonado, San Jose University Anthropology and Design with Daniel Maldonado, San Jose University What can design learn from anthropology?

We talk with anthropologist Daniel Maldonado to understand how the study of human behavior intersects and informs the way we design spaces. Daniel shares his unique insights as a first-generation college graduate.

learning.progressiveae.com

]]> What can design learn from anthropology?

We talk with anthropologist Daniel Maldonado to understand how the study of human behavior intersects and informs the way we design spaces. Daniel shares his unique insights as a first-generation college graduate.

learning.progressiveae.com

]]> Progressive AE Buzzsprout-5862505 Mon, 12 Oct 2020 16:00:00 -0400 1623 1 3 full false Universal Design with Dr. Peter Blanck, Syracuse University Universal Design with Dr. Peter Blanck, Syracuse University Dr. Blanck is a University Professor at Syracuse University, which is the highest faculty rank, granted to eight prior individuals in the history of the University. He is Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University and the Global Universal Design Commission. He is also a prolific author and disability rights advocate.

Dr. Blanck joins host Tod Stevens and Jessica Griffis, senior interior designer, on this episode of The Design Slate to talk about his work as a disability advocate and why he believes Universal Design can create a better future for everyone.

]]> Dr. Blanck is a University Professor at Syracuse University, which is the highest faculty rank, granted to eight prior individuals in the history of the University. He is Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University and the Global Universal Design Commission. He is also a prolific author and disability rights advocate.

Dr. Blanck joins host Tod Stevens and Jessica Griffis, senior interior designer, on this episode of The Design Slate to talk about his work as a disability advocate and why he believes Universal Design can create a better future for everyone.

]]> Progressive AE Buzzsprout-5657827 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 10:00:00 -0400 1729 1 2 full false COVID-19 with Dr. Cheryl Richards, President, Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Campus COVID-19 with Dr. Cheryl Richards, President, Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Campus The Elephant In the Room: COVID-19

Welcome to the very first episode of The Design Slate. In this episode, host Tod Stevens talks COVID-19 with Dr. Cheryl Richards and hears some of the mitigation actions Johnson and Wales University is taking to keep students and staff safe.













]]> The Elephant In the Room: COVID-19

Welcome to the very first episode of The Design Slate. In this episode, host Tod Stevens talks COVID-19 with Dr. Cheryl Richards and hears some of the mitigation actions Johnson and Wales University is taking to keep students and staff safe.













]]> Jill Buzzsprout-5575291 Wed, 23 Sep 2020 16:00:00 -0400 2142 1 1 full false