Lourdes Martinez
Lourdes, a designer from Peru, has come to the UnSchool a couple times, first joining Emma in Denmark for the Post Disposable Workshop, then Leyla in Portugal for our Educator Training on the CO Project farm. She also featured her work during one of the 2018 DIF sessions, as it is both fascinating and inspiring. We asked her to share her work and insights gleaned from the UnSchool with us.
Hi Lourdes! Can you give us an introduction to yourself and your work?
I see myself as an abstract human trying to create a positive impact in the world. Human-centered design and sustainability are both parts of my retina. Ah, and my closer buddies call me Lou or Lulu.
Currently, I co-lead (along with two partners) Amable, a Strategy and Innovation Consulting Firm. In Spanish “Amable” means kindness; still, many relate the name to love ( ̈amable ̈ means lovable too).
At Amable, we design digital and non-digital solutions for our clients using human-centered methodologies like Service Design and UX, which, combined with other frameworks like Disruptive Design or Systems Thinking, giving us the chance to enhance our users’ lives the Amable way.
But more important than any of methodologies we use, the core and most important part of Amable is the 26 amazing humans, aka “Amablitos”, who work with us. It's because of them that Amable can accomplish its most important mission: make the world more Amable.
What motivates you to do the work that you do?
Change. This can be done in many ways — for example, by changing the mindset of people in a corporation, many of whom have worked for years (or even decades) without ever interacting with a client on a face-to-face basis. Enabling a way for people to connect by involving them in some rich human-centered and qualitative research sensibilizes them and completely changes the way they make decisions.
Motivational bonus: having fun along the way and singing some bachata (or maybe reggaeton)!
How did you find out about the UnSchool, and what motivated you to come?
Google made the match! And I am so thankful. I was actually looking for alternative education related to sustainability and design, and I found the Post Disposable Workshop in Denmark last year. What can be more fun that learning what to do with trash?
After that, I was part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s DIF Festival as a featured speaker with other UnSchool Alumni, and a couple of weeks ago, I attended the Educational Program in the CO Project Farm in Portugal (this was an out-of-this-world-experience).
Lourdes with the Educator Training team on the CO project farm
What was your experience at the UnSchool like?
Bold! The UnSchool team not only gives students unique tools, they also help every student in a very customized way to learn how to self-assess themselves. Once you start to know yourself, your strengths and your flaws, everything starts falling into place. Trust me, somehow it just happens.
What was the main take away you had from coming to the UnSchool?
Inspiration, always. I’ve been to two separate and very different UnSchool programs, and every time I come back home, I do it with a big smile, with lots of hope, and with a ton of ideas of what to do next.
Tell us more about your initiative(s), and how is it all going?
We ́re very happy with what Amable as a firm and as a community has accomplished. We are giving a particular importance in education, as it ́s vital for all Amablitos to receive constant training and learn from each other. Also, leadership, teamwork and humility are qualities we encourage.
How did the UnSchool help you start/evolve it?
The UnSchool has helped in two particular ways. First of all, methods like Disruptive Design are tools most Amablitos know by now, and they apply them in different contexts and projects. For me, it's a game changer as it can be used for different purposes.
On the other hand, the experiential and instinctive way of teaching is something we have replicated in Amable. For example, by doing a team-leadership exercise like cooking pizzas from scratch. Or even with simple practices like sharing how grateful you are with someone you work with.
How have you amplified this change you do in the world?
I believe amplifying change is something you seek everyday. Positive change can be seen even if you make someone smile, for a second.
Now, my main sphere of influence is Amable, and as long as there is at least one Amablito trying to design a better world, I can put a check to this question.
How can people engage with, support, or follow your work?
Just send me an email, and if you ́re around Lima, I will be more than happy to have a nice Peruvian coffee. You can also find us in the digital world at amable.com
Any other thoughts you want to share?
Sometimes small changes can totally improve your perspective in life — for example, being thankful every morning for having a new chance for making a kinder world. It doesn't matter if it's either through design, or just smiling to someone else.
