About Us

Human Things is an innovation design practice based in NYC.
We help people adapt, change, and discover a new understanding of themselves. Through a combination of Human-Centered Research, Design Thinking, LEGO Serious Play, Lean UX, and Futures Thinking practices, we help people re-imagine, design and implement change and unleash their creative potential.

At Human Things, we believe in the human potential of everyone to determine their path in life and work. Our Life Design work is centered around the belief that people are happiest when their values and the work they do are in alignment. That extends to our practice in helping organizations. We believe that the workplace can be awesome when people are engaged and when the things they want are aligned with what an organization wants.

Dave Derby, co-founder, has spent over 15 years envisioning and bringing to life innovative solutions for numerous organizations and companies. He has built and led teams of design thinkers, UX strategists, designers, and researchers. Dave is also an award-winning composer, musician, and producer who has released over 12 albums on independent and major labels and has composed music and sound design for multiple film and television programs. Dave is a graduate of NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program. In addition, he received a BA in History from Yale University. He currently teaches Design Research at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Design Thinking at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering.
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Heidi Brant, co-founder, is an experience designer, educator, and design thinker. Using the LEGO Serious Play method, she facilitates creative problem-solving workshops for a wide range of companies, institutions, and organizations. For over 15 years, Heidi worked for the LEGO Company as a digital producer and experience designer, developing innovative and engaging content for children and their families. Heidi has a master's degree from NYU’s ITP where her coursework focused on storytelling and interactive installations. In addition, she received an MFA from SFAI and a BA in psychology, Magna Cum Laude, from Brown University. She is the co-founder of Human Things, a life design practice, and currently teaches Design Research at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Design Thinking at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering.

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