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I am a strategist, designer, and researcher who loves exploring complexity.
See how I've addressed complex systems in my work so far
Recent clients

Hello! I'm Hannah Rudin, a Seattle-based strategist, designer, and researcher. I am an optimist who believes deeply in the power of design to address systemic social inequities and complex civic challenges. I hold an MFA in Products of Design from the School of Visual Arts, where I did my master's thesis on countering social and political polarization in America. I also hold a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University.

Currently, I work as an outdoor educator and guide for REI and an instructor for Edgeworks Climbing. I previously was a Senior Strategist for Smashing Ideas, helping companies navigate organizational change management challenges. Prior to Smashing Ideas, I designed and facilitated community engagements with author and former IDEO Global Managing Partner Fred Dust as part of his venture, Dust & Co. (formerly Making Conversation, LLC.)

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Portfolio
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COMPLEX PROBLEM

Mental health and community resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Experience design + community engagement

DISCIPLINES

RESPONSE

SEATTLE HAPPY PLACES

A community engagement initiative and 2020 Seattle Design Festival Partner Program.

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COMPLEX PROBLEM

Access to perinatal mental health support services

Design research / human-centered design

DISCIPLINES

RESPONSE

2020 CHANGEMAKER SERIES x PERINATAL SUPPORT WASHINGTON

Pro bono partnership with nonprofit Perinatal Support Washington using human-centered design to help them engage more deeply with the parents and providers they serve.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Social and political polarization in America

Design + politics + organizational development

DISCIPLINES

RESPONSE

TEAMBUILDING AMERICA

My master's thesis on using design to counter social and political polarization in the United States by asking: how might we build America into a team?

RESPONSE

Experience design + community engagement

REPLY FORWARD

Interactive installation in New York City's Washington Square Park to engage the public about their individual roles in creating a positive future for the United States.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Civic empowerment of underserved communities

DISCIPLINES

RESPONSE

Experience design + participatory research

CO-CREATING THE AMERICAN FUTURE WORKSHOP

A design research workshop series to engage the politically curious NYC community around their visions for the future of the United States.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Developing a collective vision for the future of America

DISCIPLINES

RESPONSE

Service design + design research

UNBOXING AMERICA

A service to help left-leaning American families unpack some of the most polarizing issues. The things that cause tension during Thanksgiving dinner? Let's talk about those.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Intra-party polarization in America

DISCIPLINES

RESPONSE

UI/UX + user research

UNION

Connecting across identities.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Social and political polarization in the U.S.

DISCIPLINES

RESPONSE

3D product design + psychology

thrum

A mindfulness tool for the workplace.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Emotional intelligence 

DISCIPLINES

RESPONSE

Design research + sexual health education + developmental psychology

BEING A BOY BOOKLET

A booklet of education materials designed to help young boys express and engage with their emotions in ways that are often socially discouraged.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Hypermasculine influences on young boys

DISCIPLINES

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RESPONSE

Earth science + experience design + immersive technologies

HARBOR NYC

Collaborative project to conceptualize an immersive 360 video campaign and service to help NYC-area displaced persons in the event of a natural disaster.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Impending effects of climate change in Brooklyn, NY

DISCIPLINES

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RESPONSE

Game design

Escalation

A game that makes things worse.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Political tensions within families

DISCIPLINE

RESPONSE

Sports medicine + product design + branding

MOXIE

A product and brand for competitive roller derbiers that integrates shoulder protection, enabling greater performance on the track.

COMPLEX PROBLEM

Underserved safety needs of roller derby 

DISCIPLINES

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