A Platform for Design Dialogue
Design in Flux is a hybrid platform and studio exploring the shifting role, value, and future of design. We create spaces for critical dialogue, collaborative learning, and future-oriented practice — through thought leader deep-dives, participatory roundtables, and editorial reflections.
Our focus is on the forces reshaping the profession — from AI and automation to shifting business priorities, systemic crises, and design labor dynamics.
Whether you are a seasoned design leader, young practitioner or simply curious about where design is heading, Design in Flux is a space to question assumptions, share perspectives, and imagine new possibilities for the future of design.
Who we are
We’re Miles and Nina — design strategists, researchers, former colleagues, collaborators, and above all curious humans. We share a deep interest in responsible innovation, meaningful conversation, and design that crosses disciplines. Beyond traditional consultancy, our interests span foresight research and futuring, business design, immersive technology, and computational art — exploring how economic, cultural, and technological shifts reshape what human-machine interaction can be.
Nina Valkanova, PhD
Nina is a PhD-trained design strategist with 20 years at the intersection of design innovation and research. She connects design, foresight, creative technology, and responsible innovation with organizational strategy and priorities — building methods, toolkits, and teams that expand organizations’ ability to design for emerging challenges. With a strong track record in design enablement and external thought leadership, she is now bringing these strengths into contexts beyond the traditional consulting agency model.
Miles Johnson
Miles is a strategic product and service designer with 8+ years of experience delivering research-led digital solutions.
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