xBlog
In 1999, XPLANE created one of the first business blogs. We have been adding great insights ever since. Check out our latest posts, filled with ideas for designing, facilitating, and creating lasting change for people and organizations.
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XPLANE Doodling 101
XPLANE Doodling 101
Whether in a seminar with a team of clients or in an internal meeting with a consultant, the XPLANE designers ...
How to Go on Vacation Like a Program Manager
How to Go on Vacation Like a Program Manager
We’re strong believers in work/life balance, and not the kind where you spend 50% of your vacation stres...
Unicorn Hunting: How I Spot the Right Candidate in a Sea of Donkeys
Unicorn Hunting: How I Spot the Right Candidate in a Sea of Donkeys
I have seen a lot of disasters when it comes to interviews. I have had candidates cry; I have had them tell me...
Gamestorming User Experience—Because You Can
Gamestorming User Experience—Because You Can
Anyone can make a pitch to change the world in which they live. Start with empathy. Draw the story. Pick a car...
XPLANE Designers Take Over Show & Tell at Portland State University
XPLANE Designers Take Over Show & Tell at Portland State University
On Thursday, May 21, our Associate Creative Director Tim May and Designer Jeffery Frankenhauser teamed up with...
Five Reasons Why You Didn’t Get The Job: Debunked
Five Reasons Why You Didn’t Get The Job: Debunked
Being in HR is one of those jobs; like being in the medical profession, you end up answering a lot of people&r...
Designing for Simple is Way Too Confusing
Designing for Simple is Way Too Confusing
“Keep it simple.” This common principle of design drove our creative team into a debate last week....
Focus on User-centered Design; It’s Not About the Title or The Org Chart
Focus on User-centered Design; It’s Not About the Title or The Org Chart
In the wake of some high-profile departures of communications leaders, PR Week asks whether communications and...
Voices From VTS
Voices From VTS
I've known about XPLANE for several years, and long been interested in the models they work with in their cons...
Our First xDay in Review: Part 2
Our First xDay in Review: Part 2
“xDay is all about passion,” Associate Creative Director, Marvin Gaviola says. “It’s i...
Our First xDay in Review
Our First xDay in Review
On February 20, we closed our computers, put out-of-office messages on our emails, and hosted our first xDay. ...
The Origin of xDays
The Origin of xDays
I recently published a post on a new practice we are trying this year called xDays. The basic idea is this:
x...
XPLANE Helps ICANN Envision It’s Long-Range Strategy Plan
XPLANE Helps ICANN Envision It’s Long-Range Strategy Plan
XPLANE is proud to see the conclusion of our work helping ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names a...
Defining Information Architecture Using Crowd Sourced Design Thinking
Defining Information Architecture Using Crowd Sourced Design Thinking
In today’s world we have access to an ever-growing amount of information, but it isn’t always as e...
Creative Briefs as Storytelling
Creative Briefs as Storytelling
Generally speaking, art students don’t consider themselves writers. In fact, many will tell you art scho...
Design is the Key to Success This Year – Make it Work For Your Team
Design is the Key to Success This Year – Make it Work For Your Team
It’s XPLANE’s year.
The Chinese Year of the Sheep is known for design and creativity and so...
Project Managers, Scourge or Angel? Interview with Christopher Knaus
Project Managers, Scourge or Angel? Interview with Christopher Knaus
Our very own Christopher Knaus, Director of Program Management, was recently a guest on PushPull Podcast discu...
How to Survive the Office When Your Dominant Hand Isn’t Available
How to Survive the Office When Your Dominant Hand Isn’t Available
I recently underwent a minor arm surgery (nothing major, no need for sympathy), which has taken my dominant ha...
How to Avoid Being “That HR Person” in Three Simple Steps
How to Avoid Being “That HR Person” in Three Simple Steps
Many of my friends have an almost visceral negative reaction when I suggest they look at going into the HR pro...
I Had a Dream
I Had a Dream
No, I am not channeling Martin Luther King. Rather, I started the New Year awakened from a very vivid dream, w...
Organizational Minimalism and the Art of Subtraction
Organizational Minimalism and the Art of Subtraction
Tis the season for home organization, cleaning up, and cleaning out. I, like many people, spent my time over t...
Design MBAs – They’re Real
Design MBAs – They’re Real
Design education embedded into MBA curriculum? Yes, and in Cleveland, Ohio no less.
XPLANErs Patrick Do...
Engage Your Audience – Transform PowerPoints into Clear, Compelling Stories
Engage Your Audience – Transform PowerPoints into Clear, Compelling Stories
During Get Naked! Let Your Message Stand Up Without PowerPoint, Visual Thinking School on November 7, we ...
So, You Have to Give a Presentation
So, You Have to Give a Presentation
Wait, did you just instinctively open PowerPoint? STOP! Did you know that 80% of the time PowerPoints (or slid...