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The Observatory

Come for the inspiration, stay for the joy. Curated by Design Observer editors and contributors for our community of more than 20,000 makers, thinkers, leaders, and wayfinders, this weekly roundup features essays, news, opinion, global insights, and pithy observations on design and life. It’s guaranteed to stir the creative spirit.

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The Observatory Newsletter

Phil Gilbert Irresistible Change Cover One

Ellen McGirt|Books

No mandates, only opportunities: IBM’s Phil Gilbert on rethinking change

Ellen McGirt interviews Phil Gilbert on IBM’s design-led transformation and why treating change as a product—not a skill—shapes the future of AI and creative work.

Lee Moreau|Critique

The Wizards of AI are sad and lonely men

Lee Moreau on AI, the loneliness of power, the danger of wizards, and the designer’s role in keeping hope alive.

Ellen McGirt|Fresh Ink

What happens when the social safety net disappears?

Exploring how fear, design, and the loss of safety nets shape our ability to survive—and to care.

The Design of Business with Ellen McGirt

Redesign your approach to leadership and innovation with The Design of Business (formerly Equity Observer), a twice-weekly newsletter from award-winning journalist Ellen McGirt.

Gratitude? HARD PASS

We ask too much of gratitude.

Ellen McGirt|Democracy

New kids on the bloc?

Equity, race relations, preserving Black history, and saving democracy are top of mind.

Ellen McGirt|Essays

The advertising industry has work to do

Troubling testimony from Black talent in advertising shows an industry struggling with inclusion.

What you’ll get:

Fresh insights on workplace transformation for a diverse and evolving world
Critical advice from leaders and experts driving equity, innovation, and sustainability
AI trends decoded to manage risks and seize opportunities
Essential leadership skills to thrive in today’s fast-paced environment
Proven strategies for building inclusive and responsive cultures

Real people, real stories. Join a community that reimagines business for a better future. Be the first to know how leaders are transforming challenges into opportunities.

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To get a sense, check out the Design Observer Twenty: The Redesigners, a now annual list of remarkable people, projects, and big ideas solving an urgent social need.