Diverging

In double-diamond terms, I see myself once again in the "divergent" stage, exploring as many things and paths as possible for what I can do as a designer in new ways, building on past experience.

I’m still intent on not being shaped by companies, funding models, or industry norms heavily. I want to remain critical of how design happens and what it produces. I find it difficult as I realise I am being moulded and how easy it is to be influenced by work, trends, or the opportunities available. That tension is why I feel the need to keep exploring "what else" is out there. This is just some little reflection/documentation to help me my update my portfolio or helping to articulate what I am trying to do next. Any thoughts are welcome.

I worked as the first designer in Nordic Energy Ltd for an Innovate UK Programme, building tools for accelerating Net Zero.

I joined Nordic Energy to work on an Innovate UK programme with Peterborough City Council, creating new climate tech tools. Implementing Net Zero infrastructure, like solar, wind, or heat networks, faces big barriers: consultant-heavy processes, complex project requirements, and months-long scoping that rely on specialist expertise.

We are developing two tools to tackle these challenges: one to identify suitable locations for new infrastructure, and another to guide project delivery through requirements and best practices. Think of it a bit like SimCity - it helps people see where implementation is viable, how much funding is needed, and the most effective way to deliver projects.

How can we share more knowledge across sectors?

Before this role, I worked on a lot of water sector projects at Arup. Moving into energy, I noticed similar themes: overcoming engagement barriers and pinpointing viable sites using technology. It made me wonder: how can we better transfer knowledge across sectors? People with transdisciplinary vision and expertise can surface insights that might otherwise be missed.

Heat Network Construction

Understanding content design a bit more One of the challenges I faced was making financial concepts easy to understand for non-experts and council staff, especially when I can barely make sense of my own pension. We built a financial modelling feature into the software so people could quickly see if a project was worth pursuing.

I started asking: how can we explain complex ideas without overwhelming people, through language or visuals? This led me to content design, something I discovered this year. I have never worked with a content designer before, but in many organisations it’s a key role. It was interesting to see how they create accessible content while meeting user needs.

To avoid overwhelming users, I looked at how others tackle the same challenge and found some great resources, like Accessible Numbers by Laura Parker.

I am worried about innovation not working when funding ends

I have worked on several innovation programmes, and a common concern is: what happens to the innovations once the funding ends?  When I attended Pushing Boundaries conference by UKRI and Young Foundation in March, many participants raised similar questions about whether alternative funding models could provide more sustainable support. Funding is always tricky, and I’m still figuring out how we might do it differently.

I started looking into Digital Sustainability with Design Declares!

As a digital designer, it is common to be shaped by the idea that technological advancements are both exciting and meaningful. You’re expected to stay up to date with trends like VR, AR, and XR.

My mindset was always that if immersive technology could engage people in more meaningful ways or open up perspectives they had never experienced before, then it was the right design decision. But as I became more aware of the environmental impact of digital technologies, I began to question whether “innovation” always equated to progress, especially when it wasn’t sustainable.

That’s when I started looking into green software, resources from Wholegrain Digital, and the sustainable design practices encouraged by Design Declares!. Through Design Declares!, I shaped my understanding better and exploring how to up skill people across the industry.

Recently, I helped run a workshop on creating your own climate action plan at the World Design Congress: Design for the Planet at the Barbican in September. It was also great to sneak into some of the talks while I was there.

Workshop Photos by Oliver Lloyd - Design Declares

Nick Foster :)

Exploring illustration work for public sector and international Org

I have been exploring what my visual storytelling can do and noticed roles at UNDP and other UK innovation programmes for communication strategists or information designers, roles that appeal to me because they use visuals to explain complex ideas.

I started doing a bit of work for community groups, getting back to sketching more and trying to understand the ecosystem of illustration agencies. As usual, I sneak in a few Easter eggs in my recent illustrations.

Showcasing my game at the London Design Festival

I showcased a game during the London Design Festival alongside other designers from Goldsmiths. I created the game about doomscrolling during my master’s studies, using game and environment storytelling to talk about online behaviour. Shout out to Ke Bao for organising the exhibition.

Looking back, I realise how much I’ve grown. Between my BA and master’s, I made many games and even considered joining the games industry. Ultimately, I found myself more drawn to the broader idea of play, the impact of interactive media and using technology in unexpected ways, rather than spending weeks modeling cars for a AAA title. That said, I still love a good indie game and game jam.

I got a lot of help from my previous colleagues, friends and strangers from the wider communities.

Since I started exploring new opportunities last year, the industry has felt pretty confusing at times. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me and shared their advice, making me think about how I can give back to the community and support others navigating the same uncertainties.

Other upcoming things:

• I’m helping out with a community mapping project in Ealing led by Elizabeth Wan. It’s been so nice meeting another community engagement / participatory design practitioner from Hong Kong. The project is about supporting immigrants to become active local champions, bring people together and share local knowledge.
  

  

  
  

• Joining a hackathon run by Dark Matters Lab, Connected Place Catapult and TreeAI. Thanks Lucy for the suggestion :)

• I found a little maker space that I like in SE London. I want to use the embroidery machine and 3d printers to make random stuff.

• I'm printing more of my own illustration merch!

• Taking good care of myself and try not to doomscroll too much :)