1. Understanding: The Bigger Picture

2. 2
We are Sense.
2
Sense Information Design LLC is a New York-area
design consultancy that helps bring focus and
clarity to any situation.
We handle understanding- and communication-
related challenges involving organizations, teams,
products, services, information, and experiences.
Our goal is to enable real understanding that
leads to meaningful action.
So what does all that mean?

3. 3
We do more with design.
Our services draw from four areas of expertise which we use to navigate all kinds of
challenges. We determine the right blend of services based on your specific situation.
Creative
Problem Solving
Facilitated sessions
Session summaries
Strategic plans
Visual
Thinking
Sketch visualizations
Working panels
Design
Research
Exploratory research
Ethnographic research
Data collection tool design
Qualitative analysis
Research summaries
Research papers
Information
Design
Visual explanations
Presentations
Communications systems
Information displays
Learning experiences
Design guidelines
+ + +

4. 4
We start from your point of view.
Understanding comes first.
We try to see your world as
you see it to uncover what
matters most to you.

5. 5
We think in systems.
Knowing what’s working well,
what could be better, and
how to improve relies on your
ability to see the big picture.
How much do you see?

6. 6
What does your world look like today?
DIFFICULT
to manage complex
work challenges?
INSIGHT-POOR
customer interactions
and experiences?
UNSYNCHRONIZED
internal functions
and departments?
CLOSED
view into the world
your customers live in?
UNPRODUCTIVE
teamwork and
strategic planning?
UNKNOWN
impact of products and
services on customers?
UNCLEAR
communications?
6
LIMITED
knowledge of the forces
affecting your organization?
LOW
awareness of the forces
affecting your customers?

7. 7
What might an ideal world look like?
EASIER
to manage complex
work challenges
SYNCHRONIZED
internal functions
and departments
PRODUCTIVE
teamwork and
strategic planning
OPEN
view into the world
your customers live in
INSIGHT-RICH
customer interactions
and experiences
CLEAR
communications
BROADER
knowledge of the forces
affecting your organization
GREATER
awareness of the forces
affecting your customers
KNOWN
impact of products and
services on customers
7

8. 8
How do you make it happen?
How do you IDENTIFY GAPS
and FIND SOLUTIONS?
How do you MAKE SENSE
of where you are now?
How do you ENVISION where
you want to be tomorrow?
8

9. 9
We can help.
Early Stage Middle Stage Late Stage
You’re trying to figure
out what to focus on...
You need to dig deeper
or fill gaps in knowledge...
You have a goal and are
looking for a solution...
You need to explain
your solution idea...
You need to launch
your solution...
You want to
know the impact
of your solution...
Every organization is different, but three problem solving stages are common to all.
If you’re not sure where to begin, that’s okay. We can find a starting point together.
9

10. 10
We’re your thinking and doing partners.
Early Stage Middle Stage Late Stage
Our role is to provide the “understanding layer” supporting all phases of problem
solving, from the fuzzy, unframed beginning to the evaluation of the end solution.
Gaining understanding through visualization, exploration, and evaluation
Acting on understanding by facilitating ideation and action planning
Enabling understanding by designing communications for different needs
The UNDERSTANDING Layer
10

11. 11
We map and investigate.
MAP
• We ask questions and listen.
• We visualize all the pieces of your story and map all the
connections to create an initial picture of the present
situation and future state.
INVESTIGATE
• We conduct research to dig deeper into parts of the
map that were unclear.
• We share our findings and work with you to narrow
our focus based on your priorities and goals.
Early Stage Middle Stage Late Stage
11

12. 12
We define and design.
DEFINE
• We help your team generate and evaluate
ideas for solutions.
• We work together to build workable action
plans to turn chosen solution ideas into reality.
DESIGN
• We design communications that either support your
solution, such as visual explanations, or serve as
solutions themselves, such as learning experiences.
• We test and refine communications to ensure effectiveness.
Early Stage Middle Stage Late Stage
12

13. 13
We help launch and evaluate.
LAUNCH
• We ensure our communications meet all requirements,
down to the last details of production and delivery.
• We help plan and coordinate launch activities.
EVALUATE
• We assess the “people” side of a solution by looking
at what changes occurred and where there’s room
for improvement.
Early Stage Middle Stage Late Stage
13

14. 14
We teach what we do.
Real-World
Design Thinking
We approach design thinking
as a creative problem solving
process driven by people’s
needs and supported
by a hybrid set of skills
and methods from visual
thinking, design research,
and information design.
Working with
Visual Thinking
We focus on making
ideas and information
visible, workable, and
understandable. You’ll learn
when and how to use visual
thinking in problem solving
and gain exposure to a
range of techniques.
Design Research
Fundamentals
We present a structured
approach to gaining insight
into people, their behaviors,
and their interactions with
products, services, and
information.
Information
Design in Action
We cover fundamental
information design principles
for gathering, organizing,
analyzing, and presenting
information to enable
understanding.
If you want to build an in-house capability to tackle problems with greater confidence,
we can equip your team with the fundamental skills and tools that we use ourselves.

15. 15
We’ve helped a variety of organizations.
PREVIOUS INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE
RECENT EXPERIENCE

16. 16
We’re a dynamic duo.
Michael Babwahsingh
Partner
Sheila Pontis, PhD
Partner
Sheila is an information designer bridging theory and
practice. Her work and research focus on understanding
the conceptual side of the problem-solving process and
users’ behaviors. After finishing her PhD in information
design at University of the Arts London, she worked
at University College London in visual analytics and
serendipity projects. For more than 10 years, she has
been teaching and facilitating workshops combining
design research and visual thinking with information
design. She has produced work for diverse industries
and organizations in the United States, South America
and Europe including TfL, Elsevier, Unilever and NHS.
She is currently teaching a course about creativity,
innovation, and design at Princeton University.
sheila@senseinfodesign.com
sheilapontis.wordpress.com
Michael is an information designer focused on helping
people make sense of their world. In his prior role as
senior information designer at Humantific, a strategic
design and innovation consultancy, Michael worked
with for-profit and non-profit clients alike, including
Pfizer, Wells Fargo, Liquidnet, Markets for Good, Sermo,
and the American Human Development Project. His earlier
experience spans brand strategy, identity design, and
financial information design. He has taught design thinking
at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Michael
received a BA in Art and Graphic Design with honors
from Moravian College.
michael@senseinfodesign.com
www.michaelbabwahsingh.com
@mbabwahsingh

17. Let’s get started!
E-MAIL
connect@senseinfodesign.com
WEB
www.senseinfodesign.com
TWITTER
@senseinfodesign