Helping busy parents raise curious, creative and more resilient kids
My mission is to support you!
You want to raise kids who are ready to thrive in a world that’s constantly changing.
You’re trying to do more than just manage the chaos. You want to turn it into something meaningful.
You believe that play, empathy, and collaboration are the foundation for raising confident problem-solvers and thoughtful humans.
You don’t want another parenting hack or self-help book based on someone else's perception.
You want simple, practical ideas that help you think differently. Turning everyday moments into opportunities for playful problem-solving and collaborative learning.
That’s where Design Thinking Dad comes in.
It's a mission to raise the next generation of thinkers, makers, and doers who will shape a brighter, more compassionate future while building stronger, closer relationships and having more fun in the process..
Kids don't come with a manual
Every day brings new questions, new pressures, and no easy answers.
When you’re short of time, low on energy it’s easy to fall into the trap of parenting on autopilot. Failing to give kids your full attention, which is often what they need most.
I'm a father of four and fell into that trap. So I decided to do something about it.
I decided to take my work home.
Woa there!
I know how it sounds, but let me explain.
For over 25 years, I’ve worked as a User Experience (UX) designer. I spend my days understanding people’s needs and pain points. My aim is to design simple, purposeful solutions that make everyday life a little easier.
When I became a parent I found myself asking:
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"If a childhood is created one experience at a time, what are those experiences made of?"
That question changed everything.
I started looking at my parenting through a designer’s lens. Tuning into the little moments, the meltdowns, the mealtimes and wondering how we might reimagine them. Not to be perfect, but to be more intentional. More creative. More connected.
I began applying the Design Thinking mindsets and methods I use at work to the challenges of everyday family life.
The goal? To redesign the small stuff into big opportunities. So my kids aren’t just prepared for the future, they’re ready to shape it.
And that’s how Design Thinking Dad was born.
What is 'Design Thinking?'
Design thinking is a non-linear, iterative process for creative problem solving. It's used by some of the world’s biggest brands to drive innovation and business results.
It enables teams to understand user needs, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and create solutions that deliver impact.
Welcome to the Disco
Don’t worry, they'll be no dad dancing
​Disco is short for Discovery. The first step in the design thinking process. It’s where designers slow down, get curious, and explore the problem space.​
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The idea I'm exploring is a Design Thinking Dad Playbook — a collection of simple, creative experiments parents can do with their kids to build empathy, problem-solving skills and resilience.
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It’s aimed at parents who work in design or tech, but the activities will be easy and fun for any family.
The twist? I don’t want to design it for parents, I want to design it with them.
So, I'm speaking with as many parents, carers, and kids as I can to better understand the hopes, hurdles, and hidden opportunities facing families today.
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Right now, I'm focussed on asking parents...​
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Have you ever tried using ideas or tools from your work to help with parenting challenges at home?
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Where do you usually turn for parenting help, inspiration, or advice that actually works?
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What’s one thing you’d love to see included in a parenting playbook for raising curious, creative kids?
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If this playbook existed today, what would make you want to try it with your kids?
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What would make this playbook feel like a “must-have” for you and your family?
If any of these questions spark something for you—an idea, a story, a “yes, that's something I want to get involved in!” moment—get in touch, i'd love to hear from you.
Let's try an experiment!
Design Thinking Dad is all about small experiments that make a big difference. You don’t need to be a designer or have any pre-existing experience, just be curious and have a desire to do things better.
Pick one and give it a go. No pressure, it's just an experiment!
Looking for inspiration?
Curious what Design Thinking Dad is all about.​Grab a cuppa and watch this Talk from the Leeds Digital Festival on YouTube.
​It’s a short, inspiring look at how adopting a design mindset can help you parent with more creativity, empathy, and purpose.
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No designer jargon. Just a real story, practical ideas, and a reminder that you’re not in this alone.
Looking for a speaker who can spark fresh thinking? Get in touch.
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