See the sessions
Practical human skills for change and uncertainty.
Everyone brings emotions to work, especially when things are shifting. These structured sessions give people simple tools for stress, overwhelm, and hard moments, and a chance to try them in real work. Virtual or in person.
Most of us were never taught this.
People are asked to adapt, collaborate, communicate clearly, and stay steady through a move, a reorganization, new leadership, or new tools. Very few were ever taught the practical skills that make those things easier.
So stress shows up in the work instead: short tempers in meetings, quiet withdrawal, decisions made in a rush, good people running on empty. The usual response is a talk about burnout or a wellness app. People nod along, and nothing changes on Tuesday.
Most workshops end when people leave the room. The two-part sessions are designed to keep going.
People learn a few simple ideas, try them in their everyday work, and come back to talk about what actually helped. That's where new habits take hold.
How the sessions work
No trust falls. No oversharing. Emotions are treated as useful information about how the work is going, and people work with them using simple visual tools.
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Real situations. People work on what they are actually facing, not hypothetical scenarios.
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Thinking made visible. Ideas go on the wall or the screen, where the group can see patterns and build on them.
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More ways in than open discussion. Activities are designed so participation doesn’t depend on title, confidence, or who speaks first.
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Sharing is always optional. People can take part fully without disclosing anything personal.
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Something useful to carry forward. Every session ends with a tool, an agreement, or a next step people can use that week.
Simple tools people actually use.
Each one turns a complicated idea into something visual and memorable, so difficult moments feel more understandable and more workable.
“It's been like learning to lend myself a friendly hand to take one encouraging mini step forward.” Joy by Design participant
Sessions
Structured, ready to schedule, and adapted to your team’s situation. Start with a Lunch & Learn, or go deeper.
Human Operating Systems
- why reactions are useful information, not personal failures
- how to notice spiraling thoughts and overwhelm earlier
- more intentional ways to respond under pressure
- small shifts that help people feel steadier and clearer
Navigating Change from the Inside Out
Steady in the Storm
Human Skills Labs
Nonprofit pricing available.
What people say
“Justine helped our nurses see themselves as innovators… Our team left with not only a strong prototype but also the confidence and leadership mindset to continue driving innovation and sharing these practices with others.”
Director of Nurse Education, MaineHealth
“Bringing together a group of people that have different opinions and priorities can be challenging, but you asked important questions, allowed time for discernment and discussion, and made sure all voices were heard and validated.”
University of New England
“Through your creativity, tenacity and commitment to great visitor experience, you have inspired us and challenged us to work harder, think bigger, and appreciate the value of good design in everything we do.”
Manager, Experience Design, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
“While framed as an ‘icebreaker’ it really was much more than that: team building, problem-solving, collaboration, strategizing, and fun! It was so effective that we would like to explore… building such a session into the standing agenda for our bi-college meetings.”
Deans, University of New England
About Justine
I'm Justine Bassett, creator of Joy by Design and an experience designer based in Maine. For 30 years, I've turned complicated ideas into experiences people can actually use.
Joy by Design grew out of a simple question: why is it so hard to learn what to do with the inside of our lives? Its tools make emotional skills practical, visual, and easy to remember, for individuals and now for teams at work.
Before that, I helped redesign how the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History created visitor experiences, increasing engagement 300%, and founded the Office of Innovation at the University of New England.
What is your team navigating right now?
Tell me a little about your organization and what’s changing. We’ll talk it through, I’ll recommend an approach, and I’ll send session descriptions and fees you can share with your team.
Ask about a session