What I read today

A daily log of online articles I’ve read

What I read today June 16

I discovered this neat Detroit-based design firm, Civilla, that works with public institutions. Then I read this NY Times article, “How Tech Is Helping Poor People Get Government Aid.” Which is great that tech is finally diversifying their audience. BUT. It reminds me of when I worked in tech and we brought a team to a Women in Tech Hackathon and created a functional product that helps people on WIC to tell if a product is available for them through WIC and how we didn’t win becuase we didn’t have the flashiest presentation but the product that DID win was a rehash of Blue Apron, meal kits for poorer folks funded through donations. Poor folks are just like us y’all! And it was incredibly disappointing becuase we developed the product prior to these companies and it worked!

Alison IvenComment
What I read today June 13
Alison IvenComment
What I read today May 25
  • Hiring for 'Culture Add' Vs. 'Culture Fit', Architect Mag
    I’ve been working on SWOT analyses with the whole office and one thing that has come up repeatedly, but notably not with the firm’s owner, is diversity and wanting more of it. In one conversation we also discussed how as an office we haven’t even mentioned Black Lives Matter which has rocked the nation in the past few years. Yesterday, a bunch of school children were in a mass shooting and died. How do we incorporate the need/desire to discuss these issues as a company?

Alison IvenComment
What I read today May 20
  • Elevated Downtown walkway to feature plants, benches, Columbus Dispatch
    Mixed feelings… What makes the Highline magical is the plantings. These renderings are rather ho hum, so hopefully Edwards puts some $$ into a good horticulturist. What is frusterating about the Highline is the rampant gentrification of the area and wildly expensive housing in the area. While this is good business for a developer, not great for a community.

Alison IvenComment