I took a class in Holocaust studies while getting my undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont. I doubt Doris would remember me now, but she has had a profound effect on my life. Growing up as a second generation Holocaust survivor, I would always hear stories around the dinner table or in the back of a car on a long drive. Doris gave me the understanding and historical context I needed. She taught me to bear witness to the events that took place and then learn from them. In that one semester I uncovered the meaning of empathy and it has been a thread in my work ever since.

Photo by: Michael Rajzman
Image courtesy: Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre

Several years ago, my grandmother mistook my grandfather’s medication for her own. Her name was Helen, and his was Herman. Aside from their first names and the dosage strength, the bottles looked identical. Luckily, the effects were minimal on my grandmother, but they have had a profound effect on me. At the time of the incident, I was getting my masters in Design at the School of Visual Arts, in New York City. I had to come up with an idea for my thesis, one that I could effectively and eventually bring to the market. This discovery became my SafeRX thesis project, which then in turn became a nationally available prescription system at Target. Working together, we refined my ideas and developed the ClearRx system. It was amazing to see how something that started as a school project has had the ability to impact such a change. Through this experience, I learned design has the power to make a difference.

I had the unique privilege of learning and working with Milton for five fulfilling years. My invaluable experience and growth as a designer under his influence has been the backbone of my career. I am forever grateful for his guidance, generosity and friendship. Most important, he has instilled the conviction that the chances of learning more never disappear.
Photo by: Timothy Hogan

I first met Yayun at Milton Glaser’s in 2005. I fell in love with her work while interviewing her for an internship there. We have been working together ever since. It’s so important to surround yourself with people you can learn from. Yayun is a talented designer from Taiwan, and I feel so incredibly fortunate to have her on my team. She is irreplaceable.

View Yayun’s corner

My ambition to do good work, run a successful studio and make positive change in this world is now matched by my deep and instinctive need to be a good mom. It’s the joy of everyday small moments that is so delightful to me, like when I am able to dash home for a lunch break with Jaden, run to pick up Sophia from school or work alongside them as they are busy bees at their own desks in my studio. They have also been a great source of inspiration and have widely influenced my design work, whether that work be a self initiated project like the redesign of baby bottles, doing work for Beginnings Nursery or designing mom&baby kits for health care systems–Sophia and Jaden are an additional lens through which I view the world.

Deborah had the privilege to take the stage amongst nationally known innovators, story tellers, and international change makers at TedxRVA 2013, where she had a unique opportunity to share how little things can have a huge impact through the process of going right to the gemba. Full talk can be seen here.