IGNITE YOUR IKIGAI

Original thoughts, musings on innovation, creativity and technology

Nodes of Design Podcast

In this episode of Nodes of Design, we dive into the transformative power of Ikigai—a concept that guides you to a life filled with meaning and joy.

Through thought-provoking insights and actionable takeaways, this episode will empower you to craft a career and life aligned with your unique purpose. Tune in to learn how to design your dream job and unlock the potential of living a fulfilled, balanced, and intentional life.

Listen now and take the first step toward your Ikigai! Comment + share on LinkedIn.

Alice Au Quan Alice Au Quan

Is it a Tree? Elizabeth's Creativity Story

What if we looked at things from a different perspective? As a child, my colleague Elizabeth  drew trees as if she were lying on the ground, looking up. Her unique view was a reminder that creativity knows no bounds

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Alice Au Quan Alice Au Quan

Embracing Ikigai in the Face of Adversity

Just like a potter shapes a lump of clay into a beautiful pot, our lives are molded by our experiences, choices, and resilience. Every setback is part of the process of becoming who we are meant to be. Embrace the journey and find your Ikigai.

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Alice Au Quan Alice Au Quan

Dreaming Big in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence and automation increasingly shape our world, the need for nurturing human creativity, intellect, and intuition becomes more critical. We stand at the crossroads of possibility and pragmatism, where the tension between daring to dream and making grounded decisions are constant. How do we dream big in the age of AI?

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Leading with Purpose
Innovating with Impact

  • Elevate your next event with captivating keynotes, dynamic panel discussions, and transformative workshops. I bring expertise in design leadership, future innovation, and purpose-driven success, inspiring your audience to think big, act boldly, and shape their own futures

  • I specialize in helping startups and businesses navigate the cutting edge of future innovation, AI, and commerce. With a deep understanding of emerging technologies and market trends, I offer strategic insights that unlock new opportunities and position your business for long-term success. Open to Advisory + Board positions.

  • Discover your purpose and design your dream job. I facilitate a workshop on the “Golden Ikigai.” This session offers a proven framework for aligning your passions, skills, and career goals, helping you navigate times of change and crossroads. Whether you're rediscovering your north star or creating a new one, this workshop empowers you to build a fulfilling and rewarding life.

PURPOSE BY DESIGN

Ikigai Workshop

Every one of us is navigating our career journeys seeking purpose. We are all multidimensional with personal and professional ambitions. Pursuing our passions and achieving work all matter. We may find ourselves in a place where we aren't sure of our north star and we want to find it again, or frankly, we need to create it, especially during times of change and crossroads. This framework I've been using with teams for decades is proven. Each of their careers have blossomed into incredible purposeful and rewarding outcomes. It's a framework to guide career and personal development so you can design your dream job again and again!


LEARN | An understanding of what Ikigai is and how to use the framework

REFLECT | An opportunity to apply the framework on a personal level through exercises

SHARE | Connect with other leaders to learn, grow and give

Reach out to me if you are interested in hosting a workshop for your team,

Testimonials

  • “Absolutely loved your talk on ikigai! Your talk was so inspiring — Days and many talks later I’m still thinking about it!!”

    Cindy K. Lam, Ph.D.
    UX Researcher, Google

  • “Hi Alice - thank you for an inspiring workshop this morning! I can't wait to map out by my Ikigai.”

    Nicole Stern
    User Experience Leader, Indeed

  • “I thought your presentation on your Ikigai and how your values align with what you want to pursue really inspired me.”

    Adhithya Ramakumar
    Design Leader Android, Google

  • “Hi Alice! I loved your workshop on Ikigai, excited to go through the questions step by step!”

    Megan Cackett
    Sr. UX Researcher, Google

  • “Thank you for your presentation on Ikigai. I hope there are more in-depth workshops on this in the future.”

    Junius Gunaratne
    Engineering Lead, Google

  • "Your Ikigai talk at UXU was wonderful. As a UXer who went to school to be a singer and ended up in UX before that was a real job, thank you for such a wonderful talk!"

    Rachel Lavelle, MFA
    Sr. Interaction Designer, Google