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 for Smashing Ideas as a Strategist, helping companies understand and navigate complex systems and conduct digital transformation. Previously, I designed and facilitated conversations and events with author and former IDEO Global Managing Partner Fred Dust as part of his venture, Dust & Co. (formerly Making Conversation, LLC.)





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.

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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