September: Favorites for the Month
We asked our Learning Experience Designers to list their favorite books, articles, podcasts, and music for September.
Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design by Kat Holmes
As designers, we have a special responsibility to make sure our designs are not only usable, but also don’t unintentionally misrepresent or exclude. There is so much to know around this topic! This is a relatively quick and insightful read which discusses designing for inclusivity in the digital space and beyond. — Dawna Kelley
Data Viz Today by Alli Torban
This is a podcast that I recently returned to. Host Alli Torban is fun to listen to, and if you are even a little bit interested in data visualization, this is a great place to learn more! — Dawna Kelley
The Future of Work: A VICE News Special Report
I found this News Report to be very impactful as we look towards the future of the job market and ways AI and Machine Learning will impact almost every industry. — Brian Tillman
Men Explain Things to Me and Other Essays by Rebecca Solnit
This book is a collection of essays that look at the intersection of gender and power. Each essay tackles misogyny with different examples, stories and facts, but taken together, it prompts outrage and action for all genders. — Amanda Johnson
True Beauty | WEBTOONS
Anyone here into late night webtoons? 😅 I found “True Beauty” back in my insomnia nights back in 2018. It has become my occasional read whenever I just want to lay down and do nothing. Recently, Yaongyi (the author) has opened up about her challenges living as a single mother in South Korea — society is not as accepting of single parents and it is not easy to return back to the workforce once a woman gives birth. As an international reader, I have been learning a lot from her through the lenses of her art, design, storytelling and her values as a woman and a parent. — Karen Vazquez
Bill Cunningham New York
This is my favorite documentary about a legendary Times fashion photographer, Bill Cunningham, who had his weekly ‘On the Street’ column. He recorded not only fashion but also history with his camera for decades, wearing his workman jacket, riding on an antique bike and capturing impromptu street photos from unique, weird but fascinating angles. He used his photos to speak up for different people and tell wonderful stories humorously of what he cared about and what was happening in society. His passion motivated me as a designer and as a person — this documentary continues to motivate me when I feel lost. — Hankun He
The Lonely City by Olivia Liang
Incredible read. In these crazy times I find myself asking those same questions and trying to navigate the same city. Highly recommend this book to get some good reflection time. — Agueda Chavez
Kern Type Puzzle Game
Step aside Red Dead Redemption, there’s a new sheriff in town. This Kerning puzzle-game is a must for any typography fan. Players are given random words with different typefaces and must identify the correct kerning. I learned about this game a few hours ago and I’m already obsessed with it. — Luis Ramirez
Have you read or listening to any of our picks for the month? Do you have any recommendations for us? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you!
Check out our wgu blog to learn more about the projects our full wgu labs team is working on, and to hear from our amazing researchers and interviews with our leadership.
