Designing Warmth
Wed, September 30 - Sat, October 3
Learn, explore, & experience the principles of warmth in design.
ZX26 is a small gathering of world-builders – people who design human experience in digital or physical spaces – responding to a new era of responsibility in design.
Designing Warmth
Themes
As design transitions to broader “fourth order" systems, how do we look after the quality of the relationships that people experience within those systems?
At ZX26, you’ll learn about Transcendent Experience (ZX) Design — a new perspective on UX that looks beyond the individual and prioritizes the warmth of connection with other people, the natural world, and the cosmos.
The primary concern of ZX26 isn't whether systems are efficient or sustainable, but whether they cultivate the warmth, belonging, reciprocity, awe, stewardship, and connection that sustains us.
“What I mean by good design is helping people find their natural, proper place in the cosmos.”
– Richard Buchanan
The Vision of Warmth
When we think of design as conversation – not problem solving – users see, and feel seen, both during the design process and after, while using the final product or service.
The Power of Warmth
When we build a scaffolding for support for Self Actualization – becoming one’s best self – we can activate the power of an individual’s purpose, self-worth, and natural tendencies for reciprocation.
The Heart of Warmth
Prioritizing connection to something bigger than oneself – a shared cause – helps people realize gratitude, experience attunement, and engages their sense of justice.
What you’ll take away
Be part of a crucial course-correction in the design of human experience and recharge your passion for world-building.
Learn about inspiring examples of designing warmth - from people and places you might not expect.
Differentiate yourself and learn to articulate the value of ZX and designing warmth to others.
Join the conversation now as we define new priorities for the design of human experience.
Recharge your creative batteries during this thoughtfully-curated exploration of warm places, spaces, people, and ideas.
Registration is now open!
Program Highlights
We’ll explore worlds where human experience is intentionally warmed by prioritizing our interconnectedness.
Immerse in the warm worlds designed by the Shakers, one of America’s great design cultures.
Within its 20 historic buildings, the Hancock Shaker Village houses exquisite design artifacts. This National Historic Landmark is the most comprehensively interpreted Shaker site.
Experience a James Turrell masterwork that nudges viewers to “sense our sensing.”
“We live within this reality we create.”- J.T.
“Master of Light” James Turrell is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts.
Interact with art that examines how technology mediates our relationship with the outside world.
We’ll explore “Technologies of Relation,” thought-provoking work from an international group of artists curated by MASS MoCA, one of the largest centers for contemporary art in the U.S.
Feel at home at Tourists, nestled in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains.
Tourists is a hotel and riverside retreat inspired by the classic American roadside motor lodge, set on the banks of the Hoosic River in the Berkshires city of North Adams. The perfect backdrop for designing warmth.
Unique Design Perspectives
Meet an inspiring variety of speakers who have built worlds warmed by principles of connection.
Be inspired by an eclectic sampling of passionate world builders assembling to help us explore and experience the warmth of intentionally-designed connection.
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 strenuous, but ZX26 will lead you off the beaten path in more ways than one.
* Our experience is in accessible spacesVoices
We’ll explore designing warmth through the work of artists, technologists, storytellers, spiritual teachers, and other unlikely guides.
Scott Dille, Founder, Exec Director, Braver Collective
Scott built Braver Collective, a safe, welcoming, and accessible online community where survivors of sexual trauma find connection, belonging, and healing.
Emma Swift Lee, Director, Fred Rogers Institute
Emma and the Fred Rogers Institute carry forward a legacy of kindness and connection, with a focus on investing in the adults in children's lives through learning and community.
Tu Lee, Chef, Owner, State
Chef Tu’s food carries the quiet influence of his Vietnamese upbringing. His culinary approach is also profoundly linked to his adopted home in the Berkshires. He imbues his patrons’ experience with story, connection, and the generosity of someone feeding a community.
Daniel Gloyd, Founder ZX, Designing Warmth
As a human experience designer, Daniel’s pursuit of the principles of warmth have led him to study the scientific, philosophical, and spiritual perspectives of the phenomena. He lectures and gives workshops about Transcendent Experience (ZX) design, a new lens on UX that prioritizes interconnectedness as a design concern.
Logistics
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Admission to event and all event sites
All workshops and activities
Shuttle to and from all workshops and activities
MASS MoCA reception
Meals: local, seasonal breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (except Day 2, flex time)
Beer & wine receptions (cocktails available)
Special flex time activities: yoga, hikes, etc.
Ample time for rest & reflection
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Day 1
Arrival by 6;00pm
Chef’s Cookout
Fireside Keynote
Day 2
Yoga/river/forest/social time
Coffee & Breakfast at Tourists
ZX Introduction
Intro to Shaker material culture, curator talk
Material-led tour of Shaker Village
“A Braver Collective” featured lecture at the iconic round barn
Dinner (Chef prepared, Shaker inspired)
Day 3
Yoga/river/forest/social time
Coffee & Breakfast at Tourists
ZX Principles
“Technologies of Relation” tour and curator talk at MASS MoCa
Fred Rogers Institute featured lecture in the Spencer Finch atrium.
Dusk viewing of James Turrell’s “Sky Space”
Dinner with Chef Tu at STATE Food & Drink
Day 4
Yoga/river/forest/social time
Coffee & Breakfast at Tourists
“After Glow” with special guest
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Fully refundable up to 4 weeks prior to event (cancel by September 2).
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Each experience, plus Tourists motor lodge, is accessible and ADA compatible. Feel free to contact us if you have any concerns or specific requirements.
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Attire is casual; we’ll spend time outside during the program so bring layers and appropriate shoes; temps are usually mild days and cool evenings, with average highs around 63-67F and lows 43-45F
Transportation will be provided, departing from Tourists in the morning and dropping off at Tourists after our last activity of the day
Lodging at Tourists is highly recommended; if you choose to stay elsewhere, you’ll need to arrange transportation to/from Tourists each day
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)
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.
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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, VP 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.
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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).
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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.
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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.