Design-Speak (Jan’s insights)
Questions: are they a skill?
Digital literacy is not about knowing the latest tools, it’s about asking the right questions and making informed decisions. Asking better questions is a skill!
This post shares why curiosity beats quick fixes, how to reframe common design and tech frustrations, and a simple four-step framework you can use right now.
Wait—Isn’t the Web the Internet?
Most of us use “the Web” and “the Internet” interchangeably — but they’re not the same thing. And as AI agents begin to use both on our behalf, understanding the difference matters more than ever. In this post, I unpack the Internet vs. Web confusion, explore the Web’s extraordinary origin story, and explain how today’s AI tools are reshaping how we access and interact with information.
Imagine a Future with no Internet?
AI is changing how we work. Climate shifts are asking us to live differently. What happens to our skills, our tools, our sense of value, especially if some of the systems we’ve relied on (like the Internet) become unreliable, or even irrelevant?
Part 2: Why Value Design?
In Part 2 of “What is Design,” I explore the value that design brings to us and our lives. I present concrete examples of how design shapes our world. I look at questions, “Should we value design more? Does design really matter?
Part 1: What is design?
Ever wondered why “design” feels like such a vague word? This article dives into the “design dilemma” and reveals how a basic understanding of design principles, combined with digital literacy, can empower you in unexpected ways.
Let’s Share Meanings
This week, Jan discusses the importance of shared meanings in workplace communication. She highlights the challenges of misunderstandings between creative and business teams. She illustrates how different interpretations of common terms, such as “design,” can lead to miscommunication and project delays.
Hello and Welcome
Hello and welcome. This post is an introduction to me, Jan Jervis, Design Advocate, Educator, Researcher, Idea Coach, Digital Immigrant. This is Design.Speak; my weekly design and digital insights for non-designers. Please join me by subscribing. Thank you!
Welcome to my blog!
My blog posts explore design and digital literacy topics that can help non-designers build valuable skills for any career. No technical jargon or previous design experience is required.
You don’t even have to “like” design, but it is valuable knowledge, I can assure you!
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