Kelly Ernst/
Design Strategist
In Common™ Studio
How can we leverage belonging
to co-create
and shape stronger, future proofed communities
Designing Belonging
How can we harness
the multicultural power of 2nd generation
Millennials to create community spaces
where belonging thrives?
Making the
Intangible Tangible:
NASA and the LEO Economy
How can NASA and the International
Space Station create a meaningful relationship
with the public consciousness, and in doing so
position ourselves in the future of space exploration?
Product Strategy
Human centered product experience, strategy,
and design research for digital products in spaces of arts, culture and planetary ecology
Field Engagements
Instances of field engagment
through thought leadership
speaking opportunities and research
(she/her) is a multi-disciplinary experience strategist, designer, design researcher and artist. Kelly works to advance social impact innovation through the imagining of cultural futures and cultivating spaces of belonging. She
applies design methodologies to research, strategy, art-making, and in a variety of industries including arts and cultural production, humanities, social impact entrepreneurship, and innovation technology. Kelly has special interest in speculative design futures and emerging design research practices.
technology development
She has contributed to design projects on creative economy recovery with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, worked with NASA on strategies to preserve the legacy of the International Space Station, and worked to launch the Creative Vitality Summit
. Kelly sits on the board of the Civic Canopy, a civic and social innovation nonprofit in addition to her various thought leadership engagements within the arts and culture field. She holds an MS in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons School of Design and a dual BA in Art History and Technology, Art and Media from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Currently, Kelly is developing strategy and experiences with ![]()
applying speculative design practice to the future of energy innovation. When her focus is not turned toward design, experience, and strategy, Kelly is teaching social impact design with Parsons School of Design, working on her ![]()
, making ![]()
, or enjoying winters in Brooklyn
NY, where she is based, for the proximity to the frigid surf.
Kelly applies design, strategy and innovation through:
Intervention Assessment
Strategic Planning
Visual Systems
NY, where she is based, for the proximity to the frigid surf.
Kelly applies design, strategy and innovation through: