Join us this Fall in the Berkshires!
An intimate event exploring the principles of designing warmth through conversation, immersion, and embodiment.
Wed, September 28 - Sat, October 2
Designing Warmth
Themes
At ZX26 we’ll explore Transcendent Experience (ZX) design, a new perspective on UX which looks beyond the individual user and prioritizes the warmth of connection with the world outside one’s own skin; to other people, the natural world, and the cosmos.
This event is for world-builders of any kind; those who design human experience in physical or digital spaces. Without the warmth of meaningful connection our man-made worlds grow cold around us.
“The harmful consequences of a lack of connection can be felt in our schools, workplaces, and organizations.”
– Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., U.S. Surgeon General
The Vision of Warmth
Thinking of design as conversation – not problem solving – makes users feel seen and heard both during the design process, and after, while using the final product or service.
The Power of Warmth
Design as a scaffolding of support for Self Actualization – becoming one’s best self – can activate the power of an individual’s purpose, self worth, and natural tendencies for reciprocation.
The Heart of Warmth
Design for connection to something bigger than oneself – a shared cause – helps us realize gratitude, experience attunement, and engages our sense of justice.
What you’ll takeaway
Become part of a crucial course-correction in the design of human experience and re-charge your passion for world-building.
Learn about inspiring examples of designing warmth - from people and places you might not expect.
Differentiate your skills and experience as a world-builder and learn to articulate the value of designing warmth within your organization.
Join the conversation now as we define a new priorities for design of human experience.
Recharge your creative batteries during this thoughtfully-curated, multi-sensory exploration of warm places, spaces, people, and ideas.
Program Highlights
Shaker design is the source and inspiration for the principles of Designing Warmth.
Within its 20 historic buildings, the Hancock Shaker Village houses exquisite design artifacts. We’ll explore this National Historic Landmark with special access to the most comprehensively interpreted Shaker site in the world.
“Master of Light” James Turrell, is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts.
“We live within this reality we create.”- J.T.
We’ll experience one of Turrell’s master works; “Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited” one of his famous sky space installations that nudges viewers to “sense their sensing.”
MASS MoCA is one of the largest centers for contemporary art in the U.S.
With a special curator tour and chat, we’ll explore Technologies of Relation, work from artists examining how we relate to one another, to the world around us, and to the technologies that often mediate those relationships.
Tourists Motel (the HQ)
Shaker design is the source and inspiration for the principles of Designing Warmth.
Within its 20 historic buildings the Hancock Shaker Village houses exquisite design artifacts. We’ll explore this National Historic Landmark with special access to the most comprehensively interpreted Shaker site in the world.
Fall in the Berkshires!
The Berkshires in the fall - a stunning place, at a stunning time of year.
The region hosts travelers from around the world here for the spectacle of the colorful Fall leaves in the Berkshire mountains. Mild daytime temperatures, cool evenings by the campfire, it’s a profoundly peaceful natural backdrop.
Set & Setting
The vibe is warm, the dress code is chill.
Bring a sweater and sneakers, we won’t be in a hotel conference room all day.* Nothing hard core, but ZX26 will lead you off the beaten path in more ways than one.
* Our experience is in accessible spaces.2026 Planning Committee
We’re design professionals and educators who believe in new priorities, new responsibilities, and new inspiration for the design of human experience.
-
Daniel, founder of Designing Warmth, is a designer and research expert specializing in the field of Human Experience design.
He has helped organizations such as Toyota, Samsung, and McDonald's embrace human-centered design for over 25 years.
Daniel was founder and manager of the User Interface team at Samsung’s Los Angeles Design Lab, V.P. of Research Services at Gist Design, acquired by TrueFit Innovation in 2014.
He’s the inventor on five U.S. design patents for human-computer interface innovations.
-
Sarah is a writer and curator specializing in American craft and design.
She’s the former curator of Hancock Shaker Village (Pittsfield, MA) where she oversaw the stewardship of the museum’s collection of 19 historic buildings and over 22,000 works of Shaker material culture. Sarah served as Luce Associate Curator of American Folk Art Museum (New York), and she has held positions in the curatorial departments of Frye Art Museum (Seattle), Museum of Contemporary Craft (Portland, OR), and Cranbrook Art Museum (Bloomfield Hills, MI).
-
Killeen teaches Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School for Design in New York City.
She consults as a thought partner and design strategist. Her ongoing research projects and collaborations explore the power of collective reading, how objects work as vehicles for ideology and change, and the relationship between education, publication, and civic engagement. She holds degrees from Stanford University, Pacific Northwest College of Art, and Oregon College of Art and Craft.
-
Stephanie Smith is a design strategist and team leader who develops innovative products, services, and customer experiences.
She has led teams for multiple organizations, including Thrivent Financial, Deloitte (Doblin), and Humana. She has a passion for mentoring, developing, and teaching emerging design leaders and scaling the skillful application of design in business, with a particular emphasis on how buddhist-articulated principles powerfully inform human-centered design.
Stephanie was an adjunct professor at IIT Institute of Design in Chicago creating new courses on design leadership and design critique. She spearheaded the study Lead with Purpose.
Logistics
-
Premium lodging with high-quality amenities
All daily meals (local & seasonal)
Guided wellness treatments & meditations
Supplies for all activities
Ample time for rest & reflection
Round-trip airport transport
-
Day 1
6:00pm Cookout
7:00pm Keynote
Day 2
7:00pm Keynote
6:00pm Cookout
7:00pm Keynote
Day 3
7:00pm Keynote
6:00pm Cookout
7:00pm Keynote
Day 4
7:00pm Keynote
-
Lorem Ipsum
-
Item description
-
Item description
Event Location
Planes
Albany International Airport (1 hour drive)
Bradley International Airport (1.5 hours)
Laguardia International Airport (3 hours drive)
JFK International Airport (3.5 hours drive)
Trains
Manhattan, NY (3 hours via Albany, NY)
Automobiles
Boston, MA (3 hours drive)
Manhattan, NY (3 hours drive)
Hartford, CT (3 hours drive)
Philadelphia (5.5 hours drive)