thinking & writing

Writing, research, guides, and frameworks on experience design, the future of themed entertainment, and creative leadership in the experience economy.

These articles and guides represent ideas I’ve developed across more than 30 years of design projects and refined through ongoing observation, research and writing. There are generally 4 categories: FUTURE THINKING, EXPERIENCE DESIGN, THE IMMERSION SHIFT and DESIGNING FOR THE REAL WORLD

They’re free to read, apply and share (with attribution). Of course, if something here sparks a question or a conversation, I’d like to hear about it. Contact..

FUTURE THINKING
Applying futures thinking frameworks to the experience economy; signals to watch, patterns to understand,
and how to design with the future in mind.

thinking & writing base
RIDICULOUS TO REALITY HOW - DO WE PREDICT A FUTURE FOR THEMED ENTERTAINMENT? Part One: The Time Machine

RIDICULOUS TO REALITY

HOW DO WE PREDICT A FUTURE FOR THEMED ENTERTAINMENT?

Part 1: THE TIME MACHINE

No predictions can ever be assured. My most certain prediction is that no prediction will ever be certain. However, there are a few methods we can use to make some educated guesses about what might be a “big thing” in the future.

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RIDICULOUS TO REALITY - HOW DO WE PREDICT A FUTURE FOR THEMED ENTERTAINMENT? Part Two: Riding The Wave

RIDICULOUS TO REALITY

HOW DO WE PREDICT A FUTURE FOR THEMED ENTERTAINMENT?

Part 2: RIDING THE WAVE

No predictions can ever be assured. My most certain prediction is that no prediction will ever be certain. However, there are a few methods we can use to make some educated guesses about what might be a “big thing” in the future.

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RIDICULOUS TO REALITY - HOW DO WE PREDICT A FUTURE FOR THEMED ENTERTAINMENT? Part Three: So You Want It BIG!

RIDICULOUS TO REALITY

HOW DO WE PREDICT A FUTURE FOR THEMED ENTERTAINMENT?

Part 3: SO YOU WANT IT BIG!

No predictions can ever be assured. My most certain prediction is that no prediction will ever be certain. However, there are a few methods we can use to make some educated guesses about what might be a “big thing” in the future.

Read more →

EXPERIENCE DESIGN
Frameworks and provocations on differentiation, positioning, and what actually makes experiences worth remembering.

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EXPECTATION, ENTITLEMENT AND FAILURE IN THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMY

EXPECTATION, ENTITLEMENT AND FAILURE IN THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMY

Can Expectation Become the Linchpin of Your Competitive Advantage?

Expectations are set before customers ever walk through your door — and when reality doesn't match the mental rehearsal, you've already lost them. Here's how to change that.

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THE IMMERSION SHIFT
Ideas on the shift from passive to active immersion, and what multimodal experience design looks like in practice.

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NEW VISIONS FOR WATER PARKS & SPLASHPADS

NEW VISIONS FOR WATER PARKS & SPLASHPADS

The Future of Water Play.

Water is a physical and sensory experience. So when visitors make that commitment, we need to give them active, immersive opportunities. How do we imagine the future of getting wet!

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DESIGNING FOR THE REAL WORLD
Writing on inclusion, climate-responsive design, eco-tourism, and the broader forces reshaping leisure and tourism.

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EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE:  Do we need to get better at disability communications in attractions and tourism marketing? 

EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE:

Do we need to get better at disability communications in tourism marketing?

To many businesses in the Tourism sector, being accessible to people with disabilities means installing ramps. But research shows that only 5-10% of people living with disabilities use wheelchairs. This can leave many potential customers with a diverse range of disabilities struggling to understand which tourism options are most suitable for them to experience.

Recently I started to prototype a system to better communicate what facilities and conditions exist at tourism venues and attractions.

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THE RISE OF ECO-TOURISM AND REGENERATIVE TOURISM: A Paradigm Shift in Travel

THE RISE OF ECO-TOURISM AND REGENERATIVE TOURISM

A Paradigm Shift in Travel

In recent years, eco-tourism and regenerative tourism have emerged as powerful movements, showing a departure from traditional tourism models focused on profit and exploitation of cultures and natural resources.

But what exactly does this entail, and what implications does it hold for businesses operating in the tourism sector?

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