Introducing C R O S S R O A D S

a new series and partnership

All of us have witnessed change in our society like never before in human history. While the change has been dramatic on some fronts, others forms have been accelerated. No matter the cause, or the driving factor in what is thought to be the greatest impact, times such as this can drive humanity to evolve. It enables us to be more resilient if we are willing and able to take capture the opportunity to pivot the way we think in order to improve human lives through creative thinking and taking action.

C R O S S R O A D S, hosted by CRTKL, is a time to celebrate thinkers and their transformational ideas that will impact our lives and the world as we know it. We will also dive deep into how thinking has shifted as change fuels creative and innovative responses to a new frontier. The series is open to the community at large. Finally, we open each session to all of you, to ask questions and seek further meaning.

“We both have felt that the root of design and innovation is people through conversation and experience.

For as long as we have known each other, both Kyle and I talk often about the meaning of open discussion and how powerful a collective dialogue can be in shaping all facets of our daily lives. Shortly after we began to work from home in March, our world was continually being enveloped by the current situation that the pandemic presented and, like many people we know, our digital connection toa  greater society was being dominated by developing events. Without a doubt, this has been a trying time for all of us, whether directly sickened or through social distancing itself.

Over a discussion, we both expressed what a transformative time this could be if we think about the potential that change can bring forth. In very quick manner, recent events have surely put us at crossroads, and we felt that through connection and critical discussion, we not only could help further rationalize our paths forward as individuals but that a meaningful discussion could also serve as a conduit to connect and possibly shape new opportunities together.  

The conversations we are going to share with you through C R O S S R O A D S are not framed around a particular design discipline, nor through a single topic. Perspective and influence upon our environment can come from anywhere, through those whose who seek transformative change and are constantly provoking new ways of thinking. This series therefore is a diverse range of thought, covering topics from food to education to public engagement, etc.

In the end, we hope the discussions prompt us to move beyond comfort and content in our own lives, and to ultimately strive for better.”

-Michael Friebele