Cast
Meet the 50 cast joining UnxDesign 2026!
See how they introduce themself to a five-year old.
The names are arranged alphabetically.
Aarushi Bapna
Hi, I’m Aarushi. I like to draw and read and even make things that you might like to play with on your ipad. Much like yourself, I ask questions that sometimes adults don’t have answers to, but then I like to go on these adventures to find those answers!
Amira Selim
I'm Amira, I live with my two very fluffy cats. I love dancing and signing with my friends, and drawing and playing with clay. I live in New York City, where the Statue of Liberty is.
Amy Kim Delahanty
I live in a big city as an adult, but I grew up in a small town near the ocean. My hometown is famous for growing avocados! I am a teacher for adults and I also create books. I like to make books that tell the story about their work with words and pictures. I love to travel to new places, and hear stories from people who live there and try new foods. Being outside and looking at trees, putting my feet in the ocean, making food for my friends are a few things that make me happy.
Andy Summers
Ayat Abodayeh
I am your fellow toy-maker. I love creating toys for learning, I love to imagine with others.
Caitlin Keeley
RADAR is a group of friends from around the world who think about how to make the future better. We meet on the internet, and sometimes in person, to learn from each other, share ideas, and make things together. What do you think would make the future better?
Carla Garcia Leija
Hi, I’m Carla, and I love bringing people together to tell stories about our favorite places and the people we love. The most important thing to me is community, because my community has helped me grow into the person I am today. I help make spaces where everyone feels welcome, like when you save a seat for a friend. My job is to notice what makes people feel comfy, and then I help others do that too. Mostly, I want everyone to leave saying, “That felt really nice. I want to do that again!
Cecicila Dawn Cuff
Dana Bishop-Root
First, I would pause, observe this five-year-old – their context, their body movements, their awareness of me, and then I would shift my physical position to be in relation with theirs while giving them space and presence. With responsive energy, I would greet them with words and body language, with an observation about something around us, something we can share, then I would share my name and ask them theirs. From there, we begin making a responsive connection. My introduction to me, would be through my doing and being, the experience that this five-year-old and I are having together.
Diana Rubi
Hi! My name is Diana. I’m someone who likes bringing people together to make things, share stories, and imagine new ideas. I work with colors, pictures, and activities that help people feel welcome and connected. I like creating spaces where everyone gets to participate and feel like they belong. If we met, I’d probably ask what you like to make or play because that usually tells me a lot about you.
DiMitri Higginbotham
Hi, friend! My name is DiMitri and I'm a professor. Do you know what that is? Well, I teach really big kids at a really, REALLY big school. I teach design thinking, which means I teach the big kids how to solve problems while being creative and having fun. Speaking of fun, what do you like to do for fun? Well, I like to play music, read, go fishing, and play video games. I also like to play video games with my kids. They are 10 and 15 years old and I love them very much.
Eleni Andris
I like hanging out with people to learn about them and the places they spend time. I ask lots of questions, listen to their stories, and make things together with them. Sometimes I even make movies to help people share their ideas and imagine the future…like what the world could look like if we designed it differently.
Elise Granata
Hi! Want to borrow my needoh while I talk? Okay so you know how some groups of friends play together really well, and you have a lot of fun at the playground or pretending together, and then other friends don’t feel that way? Maybe you don’t talk as nicely to each other or even sometimes fight? I like knowing why some friends play so well together and why others don’t, so more of us can play together.
Fiona Chambers
I'm a special teacher who travels all around the world to help people come up with really good ideas. I show them fun ways to think and work together to fix problems and make life better.
Gokcen Erkilic
I love swimming. I love playing with water. I love the sea, I love rivers, I love the rain. I love music and making good friends. Do you wanna join?
Hannah Witts
Hi! My name is Hannah, I really enjoy making new friends and talking to people. My favorite color is blue and my favorite animal is a cow—what's yous?
Hayden Amaro
I'm Hayden! Do you want to help me photograph a marmot? Gotta be real quiet, marmots are tricky. (I recently led a five year old on a photographic expedition to their backyard to photograph a marmot with a camera I got them for their birthday.)
Ishita Singh
Hi! I’m Ishita. I’m an urban designer, which means I imagine and draw cities - like building the world’s biggest playground for everyone. It's sort of like the way you put Lego blocks together, so people have space to learn, run, rest, and feel welcome. I care about making cities fair, especially for people who are often told to move aside. When I’m not drawing cities, I play tennis and watch a lot of reality TV. I ask many “why” questions and believe cities can be kind, playful, and a little messy - just like people.
Jennifer Long
[I squat down to their eye level] Hi, my name’s Jennifer, what’s your name? [Names are exchanged; we shake hands] Do you know what a designer is ? [A head is shook in negation] Hm, let’s play a game. I have a friend who one day grew an extra arm, and now their clothes don’t fit them anymore ! Can you think of a way to help my friend ? [A typical answer is to cut another hole in their shirts, a less typical answer is to cut the third arm off] [We complete a product design process & my 3-armed friend is saved]
Jesse Flores
I like bringing people together to make things and talk about big ideas in fun ways. I build with Legos, play games, and ask lots of curious “what if?” and "why?" questions. I help people listen to each other and figure things out together, especially when there isn’t one right answer. I love cooking meals for friends and family because eating together is magical. My job is to help make good spaces where everyone can share, imagine, and learn together.
Jose Cotto
Hi, my name is Jose. I love making things -- photos, paintings, designs, structures -- and I really love doing those things with other people. I think when we express ourselves, we are able
Juliette Paige
I create things that bring people together. I like to make people happy.
Kaede Polkinghorne
Hi! My name is Kaede. I make art about blood. Do you like to make art? Can you show me how to make something?
Kate Barranco
Some would call me a dreamer. I help people think about the waaayyyy into future. Sometimes grown-ups make big choices that change things fast, and people feel worried or sad. I talked to young people who felt like their big dreams didn’t matter anymore. But I help people (especially you kiddos) remember: the future can still be joyful. The best stories help you dream, even when things feel hard. A long time ago, nobody knew we could go to space… but someone had to imagine it first, right? So I help people imagine brave, hopeful futures - and build them together.
Kayla Jaffe
My favorite thing about being a grown-up is that each day is a new adventure, and I get to decide what that looks like. My job is to help make communities a place where everyone gets to have that chance to be themselves, no matter what they look like or how much money they have or who they love. One of the things I like to do for fun is take walks in my neighborhood. I never know who I will meet or what I will see when I am outside.
Keeley Adler
RADAR is a group of friends from around the world who think about how to make the future better. We meet on the internet, and sometimes in person, to learn from each other, share ideas, and make things together. What do you think would make the future better?
Kelsey Zlevor
I’m Kelsey! I like to play cello, which is an instrument in an orchestra. I also started learning how to salsa dance a few months ago, so I have fun dancing and making music with other people. I also like to spend time learning about plants, going to museums, swimming, writing stories, and making art with my friends. I have a black fluffy cat named Luna. When I go to work, I am an urban planner, which means I help make neighborhoods better for people to move around, spend time outside, safely go places, and see their friends.
Marina Rakhilin
Hi! My name is Marina. I work in a big glass building in Cambridge and I’m happiest when I’m helping people talk and feel comfortable together. When I was in school, I learned to talk to people about feelings, but I didn’t like that we had to do it one on one in an office. I was always wondering why we can’t get all our friends in the room and do something new and different together - talk about hard things, fun things, and everything in between. What’s stopping us and what fun games or tools can make that easier?
Marko Kihara Manriquez
Oh wow, you like Labubus too? So cute! What’s your favorite color? You love alll the colors?! Good answer, me too! Haha why yes, I am wearing all black tho. Kinda my school uniform. Do you like animals? Me too, I have a chubby cat named Spider Pig. Where am I from? Born near NYC, raised in San Diego, back for grad school. What's grad school? It's a place where you pay lots of $ for a piece of paper that says you're worthy of a job so you can pay back lots of $. Yeah, I don't get it either.
Mary Chen
Hi! I’m Mary. I like bringing people together to eat, listen to music, and make things with their hands. I plan dinners where strangers become friends, and I help turn rooms into places where people feel brave enough to talk, laugh, or sit quietly together. Sometimes we share food, sometimes we share stories, sometimes we just listen. I think gatherings are like puzzles. You have to figure out where everyone fits and how to make them feel comfortable. My job is to make spaces feel warm, curious, and welcoming, like when you walk into a room and know you belong there.
Melissa Chan
Hi, I'm Mel! I love learning about people, making new friends, and helping OTHER people make new friends too. Sometimes it starts with saying hi just for a few seconds--it could be on the playground, in the hallway, in your neighborhood and then when you're all grown up, you could still be friends with many new memories together. When we don't know someone yet, there are over 100 cool things we could learn about them that we could learn by just saying hi.
Munus Shih
I’m a teacher! I teach grown-ups how to make things together. We use computers to draw, write, and build tools, and we also make pictures and little books on paper. I help people learn how to share ideas, take turns, and make rules so no one has to do all the work and everyone gets treated fairly. I like helping people learn new things and help each other instead of competing!
Nsisong Udosen
[insert obligatory 6-7 to grab their attention] I help people work together better. You know how sometimes it's hard when everyone wants to play different games, or when some kids don't get invited to birthday parties? I help people figure out how to make things fair so everyone can join in. Right now, I'm helping families find homes when some people say "no" for unfair reasons. I also helped make phone apps easier to use, like when you're trying to find your favorite toy in a store. I love making maps and drawings that show how things work, kind of like treasure maps but for solving real problems!
Pallavi Chattoraj
I am a magpie who likes to fly across the world, collecting shiny little things that others may have forgotten. I collect them in my giant treasure box that anybody can come and peek into and play around with. Sometimes I sit with this treasure box and think about how many stories and objects and memories it holds. I try to help these stories talk to whoever wants to listen; sometimes it makes people laugh, sometimes they fall into deep thought, sometimes they cry. Do you want to fly with me?
Prapawit Intun
Hi! I’m Prapawit, but you can call me Pam. I’m a designer who makes places and games that help people be together. I like to watch how people walk, talk, eat, and play in the city. Then I draw and build ideas to make spaces feel safe, fun, and friendly—like a good playground for everyone. I also like fixing things and helping people learn from each other.
Raahil Ganguly
Hi! My name's Raahil and I'm 17 years old. I really like books and asking “why” questions, and bringing people together to build cool things. I started a project where we collect books and send them to kids who don’t have many, because stories help people imagine big dreams and make them happy. I also like soccer, debates, and silly trivia about history. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance to learn and hear stories especially kids like you!
Rida Zeng
I'm someone who helps people talk about their "ouches". You know how sometimes feelings are hard to put into words? I make special cards with pictures, like lightning bolts for sharp feelings, or heavy rocks for tired feelings. So people can point and say "that one!" instead of having to explain everything. I also draw really fast! Tell me what’s the animal you want to be? I could draw that version of you in 30 seconds. Want to see?
Sam Owen
I’m a time traveler! I help people use their imagination to see how humans can be better friends to the world, and even to imagine futures where that better world has already happened! I especially love to think about cities, and the processes that make our cities possible. For example, did you know that the water that comes out of your faucet comes from far, far away, and that water comes from another ecosystem? I’m interested in figuring out how we can bring water into our cities while giving back to those plants and animals that need it too!
Sara Duell
Hi, I'm Sara. I make pictures and books in fun new ways to help people practice being together and sharing. I like to try things out, like a rehearsal before a play, to imagine kinder and braver worlds. I look at how things are made, how people touch and move with them, and how stories travel from one person to another. This is called design, and design is a time machine. It helps people feel what life is like right now, and it can also help them remember the past. By caring about how things feel in our hands and by thinking about time in playful, bendy ways, I show how making designs can help us dream up and build better futures.
Sharon Counts
Hi, my name is Sharon, what’s your name? Are you silly or serious? Can I see your silly face? Can I see your serious face? I am also very silly. Here’s my silly face and here’s my serious face. What is something that makes you VERY happy? Can I see what your face looks like when you are VERY happy? I love it! Smiles are my favorite. I hope you have a very silly day!
Sheri Moccia
Hey, I'm Sheri. Wanna throw a foam football around and draw comics together?
Siddhi Yatin Ashar
Hi, I’m Siddhi. I like asking big “what if?” questions about the world such as what if a city was designed for animals first and humans second? I help adults remember how to imagine again. Sometimes we play games, sometimes we draw, sometimes we talk about the earth's health. I listen carefully to how people feel, especially when things seem scary or confusing, and I help them think together instead of alone. I think the world has been quite unkind for a while and my passion is to make it kinder and more playful.
Simone Partridge
*Takes a knee to be eye-level.* Hi! I'm Simone. What's your name? You know how stories make you feel things? Like really big feelings? That's what I do. I make stories that help more people learn to read. Because reading is a superpower. It lets you go anywhere, be anyone, understand everything. I also take lots of pictures and ask a million questions. Some of my friends say I'm nosy, but I think I'm just curious. I live in Philadelphia. It's just as full of cheesesteaks as they say. Have you been? So, what do you like to do?
Stephen Early
I am someone who loves to work on making the world better, by making art and music, making space for creative ideas, and telling stories! Sometimes that means I help build buildings, sometimes it means I dive into the history of different parts of the world, sometimes I write and publish stories, sometimes I speak up for others who can’t always speak for themselves, and sometimes I just make things that help people dream of an exciting future.
Susano Hideko Surface
I like to ask big “why” questions about the places we live, learn, and play. I don’t build houses the usual way. Instead, I help people figure out how spaces should work so everyone feels welcome and safe. I listen to grown-ups and kids, draw ideas, tell stories, and help people make fair rules about how things are shared. You could say I help make the invisible parts of the world, like kindness, fairness, and imagination.
Tirstan Searight
I’m an urban designer and researcher who investigates food culture. How can designers learn from the spaces where we meet food and design places that support healthier diets and social connection? This question drives my work and has shaped my role as a public engagement specialist working at OverUnder, a Boston-based design firm.
Tuyen Bui-Lally
Hi! I’m Tuyen — like “Two-yen,” the Japanese money, but I’m worth way more than two coins 😄 I’m a teacher, and I help people feel better, more curious, and more creative. I make fun activities where everyone shares ideas and discovers new things about themselves and others.
Vivien Fergusson
Hi! I’m Vivien. I am a designer. I learn about people’s feelings and then design ways for them to feel better. I’m also a dancer – I’ve been one since I was your age! Who are you?
Vrinda Mathur
My job is basically helping grown-ups work together to make their communities happier, friendlier, and a little more fun, kind of like building things, but with people.
Zach Deocadiz
Hi! I'm Zach. I'm a designer. I make things like the apps and games on your (or your parent's) phone so that people like you can meet people like me online! But I know that sometimes people can be pretty terrible online, so I also look at ways that stop bad people from doing that. My favorite animal is ducks and my favorite food is cake :)
Crew
Meet the 50 cast joining UnxDesign 2026!
See how they introduce themself to a five-year old.
The names are arranged alphabetically.
Aarushi Bapna
Hi, I’m Aarushi. I like to draw and read and even make things that you might like to play with on your ipad. Much like yourself, I ask questions that sometimes adults don’t have answers to, but then I like to go on these adventures to find those answers!
Amira Selim
I'm Amira, I live with my two very fluffy cats. I love dancing and signing with my friends, and drawing and playing with clay. I live in New York City, where the Statue of Liberty is.
Amy Kim Delahanty
I live in a big city as an adult, but I grew up in a small town near the ocean. My hometown is famous for growing avocados! I am a teacher for adults and I also create books. I like to make books that tell the story about their work with words and pictures. I love to travel to new places, and hear stories from people who live there and try new foods. Being outside and looking at trees, putting my feet in the ocean, making food for my friends are a few things that make me happy.
Andy Summers
Ayat Abodayeh
I am your fellow toy-maker. I love creating toys for learning, I love to imagine with others.
Caitlin Keeley
RADAR is a group of friends from around the world who think about how to make the future better. We meet on the internet, and sometimes in person, to learn from each other, share ideas, and make things together. What do you think would make the future better?
Carla Garcia Leija
Hi, I’m Carla, and I love bringing people together to tell stories about our favorite places and the people we love. The most important thing to me is community, because my community has helped me grow into the person I am today. I help make spaces where everyone feels welcome, like when you save a seat for a friend. My job is to notice what makes people feel comfy, and then I help others do that too. Mostly, I want everyone to leave saying, “That felt really nice. I want to do that again!
Cecicila Dawn Cuff
Dana Bishop-Root
First, I would pause, observe this five-year-old – their context, their body movements, their awareness of me, and then I would shift my physical position to be in relation with theirs while giving them space and presence. With responsive energy, I would greet them with words and body language, with an observation about something around us, something we can share, then I would share my name and ask them theirs. From there, we begin making a responsive connection. My introduction to me, would be through my doing and being, the experience that this five-year-old and I are having together.
Diana Rubi
Hi! My name is Diana. I’m someone who likes bringing people together to make things, share stories, and imagine new ideas. I work with colors, pictures, and activities that help people feel welcome and connected. I like creating spaces where everyone gets to participate and feel like they belong. If we met, I’d probably ask what you like to make or play because that usually tells me a lot about you.
DiMitri Higginbotham
Hi, friend! My name is DiMitri and I'm a professor. Do you know what that is? Well, I teach really big kids at a really, REALLY big school. I teach design thinking, which means I teach the big kids how to solve problems while being creative and having fun. Speaking of fun, what do you like to do for fun? Well, I like to play music, read, go fishing, and play video games. I also like to play video games with my kids. They are 10 and 15 years old and I love them very much.
Eleni Andris
I like hanging out with people to learn about them and the places they spend time. I ask lots of questions, listen to their stories, and make things together with them. Sometimes I even make movies to help people share their ideas and imagine the future…like what the world could look like if we designed it differently.
Elise Granata
Hi! Want to borrow my needoh while I talk? Okay so you know how some groups of friends play together really well, and you have a lot of fun at the playground or pretending together, and then other friends don’t feel that way? Maybe you don’t talk as nicely to each other or even sometimes fight? I like knowing why some friends play so well together and why others don’t, so more of us can play together.
Fiona Chambers
I'm a special teacher who travels all around the world to help people come up with really good ideas. I show them fun ways to think and work together to fix problems and make life better.
Gokcen Erkilic
I love swimming. I love playing with water. I love the sea, I love rivers, I love the rain. I love music and making good friends. Do you wanna join?
Hannah Witts
Hi! My name is Hannah, I really enjoy making new friends and talking to people. My favorite color is blue and my favorite animal is a cow—what's yous?
Hayden Amaro
I'm Hayden! Do you want to help me photograph a marmot? Gotta be real quiet, marmots are tricky. (I recently led a five year old on a photographic expedition to their backyard to photograph a marmot with a camera I got them for their birthday.)
Ishita Singh
Hi! I’m Ishita. I’m an urban designer, which means I imagine and draw cities - like building the world’s biggest playground for everyone. It's sort of like the way you put Lego blocks together, so people have space to learn, run, rest, and feel welcome. I care about making cities fair, especially for people who are often told to move aside. When I’m not drawing cities, I play tennis and watch a lot of reality TV. I ask many “why” questions and believe cities can be kind, playful, and a little messy - just like people.
Jennifer Long
[I squat down to their eye level] Hi, my name’s Jennifer, what’s your name? [Names are exchanged; we shake hands] Do you know what a designer is ? [A head is shook in negation] Hm, let’s play a game. I have a friend who one day grew an extra arm, and now their clothes don’t fit them anymore ! Can you think of a way to help my friend ? [A typical answer is to cut another hole in their shirts, a less typical answer is to cut the third arm off] [We complete a product design process & my 3-armed friend is saved]
Jesse Flores
I like bringing people together to make things and talk about big ideas in fun ways. I build with Legos, play games, and ask lots of curious “what if?” and "why?" questions. I help people listen to each other and figure things out together, especially when there isn’t one right answer. I love cooking meals for friends and family because eating together is magical. My job is to help make good spaces where everyone can share, imagine, and learn together.
Jose Cotto
Hi, my name is Jose. I love making things -- photos, paintings, designs, structures -- and I really love doing those things with other people. I think when we express ourselves, we are able
Juliette Paige
I create things that bring people together. I like to make people happy.
Kaede Polkinghorne
Hi! My name is Kaede. I make art about blood. Do you like to make art? Can you show me how to make something?
Kate Barranco
Some would call me a dreamer. I help people think about the waaayyyy into future. Sometimes grown-ups make big choices that change things fast, and people feel worried or sad. I talked to young people who felt like their big dreams didn’t matter anymore. But I help people (especially you kiddos) remember: the future can still be joyful. The best stories help you dream, even when things feel hard. A long time ago, nobody knew we could go to space… but someone had to imagine it first, right? So I help people imagine brave, hopeful futures - and build them together.
Kayla Jaffe
My favorite thing about being a grown-up is that each day is a new adventure, and I get to decide what that looks like. My job is to help make communities a place where everyone gets to have that chance to be themselves, no matter what they look like or how much money they have or who they love. One of the things I like to do for fun is take walks in my neighborhood. I never know who I will meet or what I will see when I am outside.
Keeley Adler
RADAR is a group of friends from around the world who think about how to make the future better. We meet on the internet, and sometimes in person, to learn from each other, share ideas, and make things together. What do you think would make the future better?
Keeley Adler
RADAR is a group of friends from around the world who think about how to make the future better. We meet on the internet, and sometimes in person, to learn from each other, share ideas, and make things together. What do you think would make the future better?
Kelsey Zlevor
I’m Kelsey! I like to play cello, which is an instrument in an orchestra. I also started learning how to salsa dance a few months ago, so I have fun dancing and making music with other people. I also like to spend time learning about plants, going to museums, swimming, writing stories, and making art with my friends. I have a black fluffy cat named Luna. When I go to work, I am an urban planner, which means I help make neighborhoods better for people to move around, spend time outside, safely go places, and see their friends.
Marina Rakhilin
Hi! My name is Marina. I work in a big glass building in Cambridge and I’m happiest when I’m helping people talk and feel comfortable together. When I was in school, I learned to talk to people about feelings, but I didn’t like that we had to do it one on one in an office. I was always wondering why we can’t get all our friends in the room and do something new and different together - talk about hard things, fun things, and everything in between. What’s stopping us and what fun games or tools can make that easier?
Marko Kihara Manriquez
Oh wow, you like Labubus too? So cute! What’s your favorite color? You love alll the colors?! Good answer, me too! Haha why yes, I am wearing all black tho. Kinda my school uniform. Do you like animals? Me too, I have a chubby cat named Spider Pig. Where am I from? Born near NYC, raised in San Diego, back for grad school. What's grad school? It's a place where you pay lots of $ for a piece of paper that says you're worthy of a job so you can pay back lots of $. Yeah, I don't get it either.
Mary Chen
Hi! I’m Mary. I like bringing people together to eat, listen to music, and make things with their hands. I plan dinners where strangers become friends, and I help turn rooms into places where people feel brave enough to talk, laugh, or sit quietly together. Sometimes we share food, sometimes we share stories, sometimes we just listen. I think gatherings are like puzzles. You have to figure out where everyone fits and how to make them feel comfortable. My job is to make spaces feel warm, curious, and welcoming, like when you walk into a room and know you belong there.
Melissa Chan
Hi, I'm Mel! I love learning about people, making new friends, and helping OTHER people make new friends too. Sometimes it starts with saying hi just for a few seconds--it could be on the playground, in the hallway, in your neighborhood and then when you're all grown up, you could still be friends with many new memories together. When we don't know someone yet, there are over 100 cool things we could learn about them that we could learn by just saying hi.
Munus Shih
I’m a teacher! I teach grown-ups how to make things together. We use computers to draw, write, and build tools, and we also make pictures and little books on paper. I help people learn how to share ideas, take turns, and make rules so no one has to do all the work and everyone gets treated fairly. I like helping people learn new things and help each other instead of competing!
Nsisong Udosen
[insert obligatory 6-7 to grab their attention] I help people work together better. You know how sometimes it's hard when everyone wants to play different games, or when some kids don't get invited to birthday parties? I help people figure out how to make things fair so everyone can join in. Right now, I'm helping families find homes when some people say "no" for unfair reasons. I also helped make phone apps easier to use, like when you're trying to find your favorite toy in a store. I love making maps and drawings that show how things work, kind of like treasure maps but for solving real problems!
Pallavi Chattoraj
I am a magpie who likes to fly across the world, collecting shiny little things that others may have forgotten. I collect them in my giant treasure box that anybody can come and peek into and play around with. Sometimes I sit with this treasure box and think about how many stories and objects and memories it holds. I try to help these stories talk to whoever wants to listen; sometimes it makes people laugh, sometimes they fall into deep thought, sometimes they cry. Do you want to fly with me?
Prapawit Intun
Hi! I’m Prapawit, but you can call me Pam. I’m a designer who makes places and games that help people be together. I like to watch how people walk, talk, eat, and play in the city. Then I draw and build ideas to make spaces feel safe, fun, and friendly—like a good playground for everyone. I also like fixing things and helping people learn from each other.
Raahil Ganguly
Hi! My name's Raahil and I'm 17 years old. I really like books and asking “why” questions, and bringing people together to build cool things. I started a project where we collect books and send them to kids who don’t have many, because stories help people imagine big dreams and make them happy. I also like soccer, debates, and silly trivia about history. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance to learn and hear stories especially kids like you!
Rida Zeng
I'm someone who helps people talk about their "ouches". You know how sometimes feelings are hard to put into words? I make special cards with pictures, like lightning bolts for sharp feelings, or heavy rocks for tired feelings. So people can point and say "that one!" instead of having to explain everything. I also draw really fast! Tell me what’s the animal you want to be? I could draw that version of you in 30 seconds. Want to see?
Sam Owen
I’m a time traveler! I help people use their imagination to see how humans can be better friends to the world, and even to imagine futures where that better world has already happened! I especially love to think about cities, and the processes that make our cities possible. For example, did you know that the water that comes out of your faucet comes from far, far away, and that water comes from another ecosystem? I’m interested in figuring out how we can bring water into our cities while giving back to those plants and animals that need it too!
Sara Duell
Hi, I'm Sara. I make pictures and books in fun new ways to help people practice being together and sharing. I like to try things out, like a rehearsal before a play, to imagine kinder and braver worlds. I look at how things are made, how people touch and move with them, and how stories travel from one person to another. This is called design, and design is a time machine. It helps people feel what life is like right now, and it can also help them remember the past. By caring about how things feel in our hands and by thinking about time in playful, bendy ways, I show how making designs can help us dream up and build better futures.
Sharon Counts
Hi, my name is Sharon, what’s your name? Are you silly or serious? Can I see your silly face? Can I see your serious face? I am also very silly. Here’s my silly face and here’s my serious face. What is something that makes you VERY happy? Can I see what your face looks like when you are VERY happy? I love it! Smiles are my favorite. I hope you have a very silly day!
Sharon Counts
Hi, my name is Sharon, what’s your name? Are you silly or serious? Can I see your silly face? Can I see your serious face? I am also very silly. Here’s my silly face and here’s my serious face. What is something that makes you VERY happy? Can I see what your face looks like when you are VERY happy? I love it! Smiles are my favorite. I hope you have a very silly day!
Sheri Moccia
Hey, I'm Sheri. Wanna throw a foam football around and draw comics together?
Siddhi Yatin Ashar
Hi, I’m Siddhi. I like asking big “what if?” questions about the world such as what if a city was designed for animals first and humans second? I help adults remember how to imagine again. Sometimes we play games, sometimes we draw, sometimes we talk about the earth's health. I listen carefully to how people feel, especially when things seem scary or confusing, and I help them think together instead of alone. I think the world has been quite unkind for a while and my passion is to make it kinder and more playful.
Simone Partridge
*Takes a knee to be eye-level.* Hi! I'm Simone. What's your name? You know how stories make you feel things? Like really big feelings? That's what I do. I make stories that help more people learn to read. Because reading is a superpower. It lets you go anywhere, be anyone, understand everything. I also take lots of pictures and ask a million questions. Some of my friends say I'm nosy, but I think I'm just curious. I live in Philadelphia. It's just as full of cheesesteaks as they say. Have you been? So, what do you like to do?
Stephen Early
I am someone who loves to work on making the world better, by making art and music, making space for creative ideas, and telling stories! Sometimes that means I help build buildings, sometimes it means I dive into the history of different parts of the world, sometimes I write and publish stories, sometimes I speak up for others who can’t always speak for themselves, and sometimes I just make things that help people dream of an exciting future.
Susano Hideko Surface
I like to ask big “why” questions about the places we live, learn, and play. I don’t build houses the usual way. Instead, I help people figure out how spaces should work so everyone feels welcome and safe. I listen to grown-ups and kids, draw ideas, tell stories, and help people make fair rules about how things are shared. You could say I help make the invisible parts of the world, like kindness, fairness, and imagination.
Tirstan Searight
I’m an urban designer and researcher who investigates food culture. How can designers learn from the spaces where we meet food and design places that support healthier diets and social connection? This question drives my work and has shaped my role as a public engagement specialist working at OverUnder, a Boston-based design firm.
Tuyen Bui-Lally
Hi! I’m Tuyen — like “Two-yen,” the Japanese money, but I’m worth way more than two coins 😄 I’m a teacher, and I help people feel better, more curious, and more creative. I make fun activities where everyone shares ideas and discovers new things about themselves and others.
Vivien Fergusson
Hi! I’m Vivien. I am a designer. I learn about people’s feelings and then design ways for them to feel better. I’m also a dancer – I’ve been one since I was your age! Who are you?
Vrinda Mathur
My job is basically helping grown-ups work together to make their communities happier, friendlier, and a little more fun, kind of like building things, but with people.
Zach Deocadiz
Hi! I'm Zach. I'm a designer. I make things like the apps and games on your (or your parent's) phone so that people like you can meet people like me online! But I know that sometimes people can be pretty terrible online, so I also look at ways that stop bad people from doing that. My favorite animal is ducks and my favorite food is cake :)
Crew
Meet the 50 cast joining UnxDesign 2026! See how they introduce themself to a five-year old. The names are arranged alphabetically.
Aarushi Bapna
Hi, I’m Aarushi. I like to draw and read and even make things that you might like to play with on your ipad. Much like yourself, I ask questions that sometimes adults don’t have answers to, but then I like to go on these adventures to find those answers!
Amira Selim
I'm Amira, I live with my two very fluffy cats. I love dancing and signing with my friends, and drawing and playing with clay. I live in New York City, where the Statue of Liberty is.
Amy Kim Delahanty
I live in a big city as an adult, but I grew up in a small town near the ocean. My hometown is famous for growing avocados! I am a teacher for adults and I also create books. I like to make books that tell the story about their work with words and pictures. I love to travel to new places, and hear stories from people who live there and try new foods. Being outside and looking at trees, putting my feet in the ocean, making food for my friends are a few things that make me happy.
Andy Summers
Ayat Abodayeh
I am your fellow toy-maker. I love creating toys for learning, I love to imagine with others.
Caitlin Keeley
RADAR is a group of friends from around the world who think about how to make the future better. We meet on the internet, and sometimes in person, to learn from each other, share ideas, and make things together. What do you think would make the future better?
Carla Garcia Leija
Hi, I’m Carla, and I love bringing people together to tell stories about our favorite places and the people we love. The most important thing to me is community, because my community has helped me grow into the person I am today. I help make spaces where everyone feels welcome, like when you save a seat for a friend. My job is to notice what makes people feel comfy, and then I help others do that too. Mostly, I want everyone to leave saying, “That felt really nice. I want to do that again!
Cecicila Dawn Cuff
Dana Bishop-Root
First, I would pause, observe this five-year-old – their context, their body movements, their awareness of me, and then I would shift my physical position to be in relation with theirs while giving them space and presence. With responsive energy, I would greet them with words and body language, with an observation about something around us, something we can share, then I would share my name and ask them theirs. From there, we begin making a responsive connection. My introduction to me, would be through my doing and being, the experience that this five-year-old and I are having together.
Diana Rubi
Hi! My name is Diana. I’m someone who likes bringing people together to make things, share stories, and imagine new ideas. I work with colors, pictures, and activities that help people feel welcome and connected. I like creating spaces where everyone gets to participate and feel like they belong. If we met, I’d probably ask what you like to make or play because that usually tells me a lot about you.
DiMitri Higginbotham
Hi, friend! My name is DiMitri and I'm a professor. Do you know what that is? Well, I teach really big kids at a really, REALLY big school. I teach design thinking, which means I teach the big kids how to solve problems while being creative and having fun. Speaking of fun, what do you like to do for fun? Well, I like to play music, read, go fishing, and play video games. I also like to play video games with my kids. They are 10 and 15 years old and I love them very much.
Eleni Andris
I like hanging out with people to learn about them and the places they spend time. I ask lots of questions, listen to their stories, and make things together with them. Sometimes I even make movies to help people share their ideas and imagine the future…like what the world could look like if we designed it differently.
Elise Granata
Hi! Want to borrow my needoh while I talk? Okay so you know how some groups of friends play together really well, and you have a lot of fun at the playground or pretending together, and then other friends don’t feel that way? Maybe you don’t talk as nicely to each other or even sometimes fight? I like knowing why some friends play so well together and why others don’t, so more of us can play together.
Fiona Chambers
I'm a special teacher who travels all around the world to help people come up with really good ideas. I show them fun ways to think and work together to fix problems and make life better.
Gokcen Erkilic
I love swimming. I love playing with water. I love the sea, I love rivers, I love the rain. I love music and making good friends. Do you wanna join?
Hannah Witts
Hi! My name is Hannah, I really enjoy making new friends and talking to people. My favorite color is blue and my favorite animal is a cow—what's yous?
Hayden Amaro
I'm Hayden! Do you want to help me photograph a marmot? Gotta be real quiet, marmots are tricky. (I recently led a five year old on a photographic expedition to their backyard to photograph a marmot with a camera I got them for their birthday.)
Ishita Singh
Hi! I’m Ishita. I’m an urban designer, which means I imagine and draw cities - like building the world’s biggest playground for everyone. It's sort of like the way you put Lego blocks together, so people have space to learn, run, rest, and feel welcome. I care about making cities fair, especially for people who are often told to move aside. When I’m not drawing cities, I play tennis and watch a lot of reality TV. I ask many “why” questions and believe cities can be kind, playful, and a little messy - just like people.
Jennifer Long
[I squat down to their eye level] Hi, my name’s Jennifer, what’s your name? [Names are exchanged; we shake hands] Do you know what a designer is ? [A head is shook in negation] Hm, let’s play a game. I have a friend who one day grew an extra arm, and now their clothes don’t fit them anymore ! Can you think of a way to help my friend ? [A typical answer is to cut another hole in their shirts, a less typical answer is to cut the third arm off] [We complete a product design process & my 3-armed friend is saved]
Jesse Flores
I like bringing people together to make things and talk about big ideas in fun ways. I build with Legos, play games, and ask lots of curious “what if?” and "why?" questions. I help people listen to each other and figure things out together, especially when there isn’t one right answer. I love cooking meals for friends and family because eating together is magical. My job is to help make good spaces where everyone can share, imagine, and learn together.
Jose Cotto
Hi, my name is Jose. I love making things -- photos, paintings, designs, structures -- and I really love doing those things with other people. I think when we express ourselves, we are able
Juliette Paige
I create things that bring people together. I like to make people happy.
Kaede Polkinghorne
Hi! My name is Kaede. I make art about blood. Do you like to make art? Can you show me how to make something?
Kate Barranco
Some would call me a dreamer. I help people think about the waaayyyy into future. Sometimes grown-ups make big choices that change things fast, and people feel worried or sad. I talked to young people who felt like their big dreams didn’t matter anymore. But I help people (especially you kiddos) remember: the future can still be joyful. The best stories help you dream, even when things feel hard. A long time ago, nobody knew we could go to space… but someone had to imagine it first, right? So I help people imagine brave, hopeful futures - and build them together.
Kayla Jaffe
My favorite thing about being a grown-up is that each day is a new adventure, and I get to decide what that looks like. My job is to help make communities a place where everyone gets to have that chance to be themselves, no matter what they look like or how much money they have or who they love. One of the things I like to do for fun is take walks in my neighborhood. I never know who I will meet or what I will see when I am outside.
Keeley Adler
RADAR is a group of friends from around the world who think about how to make the future better. We meet on the internet, and sometimes in person, to learn from each other, share ideas, and make things together. What do you think would make the future better?
Keeley Adler
RADAR is a group of friends from around the world who think about how to make the future better. We meet on the internet, and sometimes in person, to learn from each other, share ideas, and make things together. What do you think would make the future better?
Kelsey Zlevor
I’m Kelsey! I like to play cello, which is an instrument in an orchestra. I also started learning how to salsa dance a few months ago, so I have fun dancing and making music with other people. I also like to spend time learning about plants, going to museums, swimming, writing stories, and making art with my friends. I have a black fluffy cat named Luna. When I go to work, I am an urban planner, which means I help make neighborhoods better for people to move around, spend time outside, safely go places, and see their friends.
Marina Rakhilin
Hi! My name is Marina. I work in a big glass building in Cambridge and I’m happiest when I’m helping people talk and feel comfortable together. When I was in school, I learned to talk to people about feelings, but I didn’t like that we had to do it one on one in an office. I was always wondering why we can’t get all our friends in the room and do something new and different together - talk about hard things, fun things, and everything in between. What’s stopping us and what fun games or tools can make that easier?
Marko Kihara Manriquez
Oh wow, you like Labubus too? So cute! What’s your favorite color? You love alll the colors?! Good answer, me too! Haha why yes, I am wearing all black tho. Kinda my school uniform. Do you like animals? Me too, I have a chubby cat named Spider Pig. Where am I from? Born near NYC, raised in San Diego, back for grad school. What's grad school? It's a place where you pay lots of $ for a piece of paper that says you're worthy of a job so you can pay back lots of $. Yeah, I don't get it either.
Mary Chen
Hi! I’m Mary. I like bringing people together to eat, listen to music, and make things with their hands. I plan dinners where strangers become friends, and I help turn rooms into places where people feel brave enough to talk, laugh, or sit quietly together. Sometimes we share food, sometimes we share stories, sometimes we just listen. I think gatherings are like puzzles. You have to figure out where everyone fits and how to make them feel comfortable. My job is to make spaces feel warm, curious, and welcoming, like when you walk into a room and know you belong there.
Melissa Chan
Hi, I'm Mel! I love learning about people, making new friends, and helping OTHER people make new friends too. Sometimes it starts with saying hi just for a few seconds--it could be on the playground, in the hallway, in your neighborhood and then when you're all grown up, you could still be friends with many new memories together. When we don't know someone yet, there are over 100 cool things we could learn about them that we could learn by just saying hi.
Munus Shih
I’m a teacher! I teach grown-ups how to make things together. We use computers to draw, write, and build tools, and we also make pictures and little books on paper. I help people learn how to share ideas, take turns, and make rules so no one has to do all the work and everyone gets treated fairly. I like helping people learn new things and help each other instead of competing!
Nsisong Udosen
[insert obligatory 6-7 to grab their attention] I help people work together better. You know how sometimes it's hard when everyone wants to play different games, or when some kids don't get invited to birthday parties? I help people figure out how to make things fair so everyone can join in. Right now, I'm helping families find homes when some people say "no" for unfair reasons. I also helped make phone apps easier to use, like when you're trying to find your favorite toy in a store. I love making maps and drawings that show how things work, kind of like treasure maps but for solving real problems!
Pallavi Chattoraj
I am a magpie who likes to fly across the world, collecting shiny little things that others may have forgotten. I collect them in my giant treasure box that anybody can come and peek into and play around with. Sometimes I sit with this treasure box and think about how many stories and objects and memories it holds. I try to help these stories talk to whoever wants to listen; sometimes it makes people laugh, sometimes they fall into deep thought, sometimes they cry. Do you want to fly with me?
Prapawit Intun
Hi! I’m Prapawit, but you can call me Pam. I’m a designer who makes places and games that help people be together. I like to watch how people walk, talk, eat, and play in the city. Then I draw and build ideas to make spaces feel safe, fun, and friendly—like a good playground for everyone. I also like fixing things and helping people learn from each other.
Raahil Ganguly
Hi! My name's Raahil and I'm 17 years old. I really like books and asking “why” questions, and bringing people together to build cool things. I started a project where we collect books and send them to kids who don’t have many, because stories help people imagine big dreams and make them happy. I also like soccer, debates, and silly trivia about history. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance to learn and hear stories especially kids like you!
Rida Zeng
I'm someone who helps people talk about their "ouches". You know how sometimes feelings are hard to put into words? I make special cards with pictures, like lightning bolts for sharp feelings, or heavy rocks for tired feelings. So people can point and say "that one!" instead of having to explain everything. I also draw really fast! Tell me what’s the animal you want to be? I could draw that version of you in 30 seconds. Want to see?
Sam Owen
I’m a time traveler! I help people use their imagination to see how humans can be better friends to the world, and even to imagine futures where that better world has already happened! I especially love to think about cities, and the processes that make our cities possible. For example, did you know that the water that comes out of your faucet comes from far, far away, and that water comes from another ecosystem? I’m interested in figuring out how we can bring water into our cities while giving back to those plants and animals that need it too!
Sara Duell
Hi, I'm Sara. I make pictures and books in fun new ways to help people practice being together and sharing. I like to try things out, like a rehearsal before a play, to imagine kinder and braver worlds. I look at how things are made, how people touch and move with them, and how stories travel from one person to another. This is called design, and design is a time machine. It helps people feel what life is like right now, and it can also help them remember the past. By caring about how things feel in our hands and by thinking about time in playful, bendy ways, I show how making designs can help us dream up and build better futures.
Sharon Counts
Hi, my name is Sharon, what’s your name? Are you silly or serious? Can I see your silly face? Can I see your serious face? I am also very silly. Here’s my silly face and here’s my serious face. What is something that makes you VERY happy? Can I see what your face looks like when you are VERY happy? I love it! Smiles are my favorite. I hope you have a very silly day!
Sharon Counts
Hi, my name is Sharon, what’s your name? Are you silly or serious? Can I see your silly face? Can I see your serious face? I am also very silly. Here’s my silly face and here’s my serious face. What is something that makes you VERY happy? Can I see what your face looks like when you are VERY happy? I love it! Smiles are my favorite. I hope you have a very silly day!
Sheri Moccia
Hey, I'm Sheri. Wanna throw a foam football around and draw comics together?
Siddhi Yatin Ashar
Hi, I’m Siddhi. I like asking big “what if?” questions about the world such as what if a city was designed for animals first and humans second? I help adults remember how to imagine again. Sometimes we play games, sometimes we draw, sometimes we talk about the earth's health. I listen carefully to how people feel, especially when things seem scary or confusing, and I help them think together instead of alone. I think the world has been quite unkind for a while and my passion is to make it kinder and more playful.
Simone Partridge
*Takes a knee to be eye-level.* Hi! I'm Simone. What's your name? You know how stories make you feel things? Like really big feelings? That's what I do. I make stories that help more people learn to read. Because reading is a superpower. It lets you go anywhere, be anyone, understand everything. I also take lots of pictures and ask a million questions. Some of my friends say I'm nosy, but I think I'm just curious. I live in Philadelphia. It's just as full of cheesesteaks as they say. Have you been? So, what do you like to do?
Stephen Early
I am someone who loves to work on making the world better, by making art and music, making space for creative ideas, and telling stories! Sometimes that means I help build buildings, sometimes it means I dive into the history of different parts of the world, sometimes I write and publish stories, sometimes I speak up for others who can’t always speak for themselves, and sometimes I just make things that help people dream of an exciting future.
Susano Hideko Surface
I like to ask big “why” questions about the places we live, learn, and play. I don’t build houses the usual way. Instead, I help people figure out how spaces should work so everyone feels welcome and safe. I listen to grown-ups and kids, draw ideas, tell stories, and help people make fair rules about how things are shared. You could say I help make the invisible parts of the world, like kindness, fairness, and imagination.
Tirstan Searight
I’m an urban designer and researcher who investigates food culture. How can designers learn from the spaces where we meet food and design places that support healthier diets and social connection? This question drives my work and has shaped my role as a public engagement specialist working at OverUnder, a Boston-based design firm.
Tuyen Bui-Lally
Hi! I’m Tuyen — like “Two-yen,” the Japanese money, but I’m worth way more than two coins 😄 I’m a teacher, and I help people feel better, more curious, and more creative. I make fun activities where everyone shares ideas and discovers new things about themselves and others.
Vivien Fergusson
Hi! I’m Vivien. I am a designer. I learn about people’s feelings and then design ways for them to feel better. I’m also a dancer – I’ve been one since I was your age! Who are you?
Vrinda Mathur
My job is basically helping grown-ups work together to make their communities happier, friendlier, and a little more fun, kind of like building things, but with people.
Zach Deocadiz