“The project exists to shine a light on what design can do for psychedelics and what psychedelics can do for design.”
Psychedelics Design is an equitable platform at the intersection of psychedelics and design, exploring how these two fields can synergize to create more sustainable and regenerative futures.
Psychedelics Design offers a unique perspective on the psychedelic realm–examining it through a design lens. We explore the potential for psychedelics to drive new design methodologies.
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Vision
A world where human ingenuity meets nature’s genius, and psychedelic and consciousness practices unlock creative frontiers, fueling innovative solutions that are bold, thoughtful, kind, and harmonious.
To bring inspiration and knowledge about the potential of psychedelics and consciousness practices for creativity and problem solving, by providing tailored education, the development of psychedelic experience-inspired design frameworks, building vibrant channels for sharing insights, cross-pollinating ideas and fostering inclusive conversations across diverse communities of thinkers and creators.
Mission
Purpose
To accelerate humanity's ability to design a kinder world, using psychedelics and consciousness practices as tools for healing, interconnected thinking, and dissolving ego-driven barriers, equipping creatives to move beyond superficial norms and build a future where kindness drives every solution.
“Designing better futures" is maybe a little hollow or idealistic in the way it’s usually tossed around, especially when the real systemic transformation needed is much deeper. What we are trying to say is way more embodied — it’s about real human healing, dissolving ego, waking up to interconnectedness, and designing solutions from a place of clarity, kindness, and deep awareness.
Founder
Alexandra Plesner
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Alexandra Plesner is a Designer, Artist, Writer, Creative Advisor, and Founder of Psychedelics Design, a platform exploring how psychedelics can potentially contribute to better futures through design.
Currently, she is also a creative strategy advisor for Gwella and Mojo, as well as volunteering her design skills to brands such as Zendo Project, Women On Psychedelics and Hystelica.
Prior to that, she worked as a design researcher and strategist at renowned agencies such as Method Inc., Normally Ltd., Dazed Media, Tank Magazine, and Karla Otto PR. Throughout her professional journey, she has collaborated with clients like Nike, Spotify, Habitat, Manolo Blahnik, WWF X, H&M, Victoria and Albert Museum, Mercedes-Benz, and the University of the Arts London.
Plesner holds a Master of Arts in Applied Imagination from Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London) and a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from London Metropolitan University. Her research focused on how psychedelics affect brain mechanisms in comparison to XR, in context with nature-relatedness–investigating a potential synergetic application.
Her writing has been featured in notable publications including Dazed & Confused Magazine, Psychedelic Spotlight, Women on Psychedelics, Psychedelics Today, Reality Sandwich and Proto Life.
Strategic Advisors
Jalen Salazar
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I am a seasoned leader specializing in human-centred innovation for Consumer, Technology, and Life Science industries. After a successful tenure leading design at LUNAR - the renowned creative agency that received the Cooper-Hewet National Product Design Award and that was acquired by McKinsey & Co. in 2015 - I’ve helped build and scale McKinsey’s design capability to 300+ designers globally.
As a Partner at McKinsey, I’ve honed my skills in strategically integrating design capabilities within the firm to ensure that results are highly desirable and drive tangible business value. I bring a unique blend of creativity and business acumen; aligning design initiatives with broader organizational strategies to drive effective outcomes at scale.
I am passionate about helping shape a future where organizations elevate their ability to deliver holistic impact that drives responsible and sustainable growth.
Raad Seraj
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Raad Seraj is a Bangladeshi-Canadian entrepreneur and founder of Mission Club, a global angel investor syndicate targeting innovative startups in the psychedelics and mental health nexus. Beyond mere capital, Mission Club promotes a seamless development trajectory of the budding yet dispersed psychedelic ecosystem by injecting the domain with expertise, strategic network, and conviction. Prioritizing early-stage ventures, Mission Club targets both core psychedelic solutions as well as surrounding infrastructure such insurance, software, clinical network, telehealth, media, and retreats. As part of Mission Club’s mandate, Raad also hosts the Minority Trip Report podcast, which spotlights under-represented leaders in psychedelics and mental health.
By day, he spearheads growth at Affinity, a San Francisco startup developing purpose-built AI tools for private capital with global clients like Bain Capital Ventures, Softbank, Techstars, a16z and Bessemer Ventures.
Floris Wolswijk
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Floris, founder of Blossom, holds an MSc in Psychology from Erasmus University. His passion for psychedelics, sparked by personal experiences and scientific exploration, drives his mission to expand their accessibility for medical and self-development purposes.
He also offers psychedelic-assisted coaching sessions with his Fiance in the Netherlands through FLO Coaching. He hopes to play a vital part in making psychedelics more widely available and used.
Natalie Lyla Ginsberg
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Natalie Lyla Ginsberg (MSW) is the Global Impact Officer at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, (MAPS), and the co-founder of the Jewish Psychedelic Summit. Natalie joined MAPS in 2014, founding the Policy & Advocacy department, and serving as its director for 5 years. At MAPS, Natalie initiated and co-developed MAPS’ Health Equity program, including MAPS’ first MDMA Therapy Training for Communities of Color, and co-authored the first study interviewing Palestinians and Israelis who have shared ayahuasca ceremonies.
Before joining MAPS, Natalie worked as a Policy Fellow at the Drug Policy Alliance, where she helped legalize medical cannabis in her home state of New York, and worked to end race-based marijuana arrests. Natalie was born and raised in New York City and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA. She received her B.A. in history from Yale College, and her master’s of social work (M.S.W.) from Columbia University.
This initiative aims to:
Explore Psychedelics Through a Design Lens
How might psychedelic experiences inform new approaches to visual communication, user experience, and product design? By examining psychedelics from a design perspective, can we uncover novel insights into perception, cognition, and creativity?
Enhance the Creative Process
In what ways can psychedelic-inspired techniques amplify ideation, problem-solving, and artistic expression? Could microdosing or integration practices become valuable tools in a designer's creative toolkit?
Benefit Society and the Planet
How can design principles inspired by psychedelic experiences contribute to more sustainable, empathetic, and nature-centered solutions? Can we leverage expanded consciousness to address complex global challenges?
Foster Community and Collaboration
Can psychedelic-inspired methodologies facilitate meaningful connections between different cultures, professions, systems, etc? How might interdisciplinary collaboration lead to groundbreaking innovations?
Develop Nature-Inspired Design Solutions
How can biomimicry and psychedelic-induced nature connectedness inform more harmonious and regenerative design practices? What new materials or structures might emerge from this synthesis?
Craft Psychedelic-Inspired Design Philosophies
Can we distil core principles from psychedelic experiences to create new design frameworks? How might concepts like interconnectedness, ego dissolution, or non-linear thinking reshape design theory?
Speculate the Integration of Psychedelics into Design Processes
What ethical considerations and best practices should guide the incorporation of psychedelic experiences into professional design workflows? How can we responsibly explore altered states for creative enhancement?
Facilitate Cross-Pollination of Ideas
How can we create effective channels for sharing insights, resources, and methodologies between the psychedelic and design communities? What mutual benefits might arise from this exchange of knowledge?
By addressing these questions, Psychedelics Design seeks to catalyze a new era of conscious creativity and transformative innovation.
