Life Sciences R&D Leadership Workshop | Empathy Walk Experience
Scott DS Young
Verified
The Problem
The client needed workshop materials for an organizational transformation initiative within a global life sciences R&D organization. The challenge was translating complex operational issues such as unclear ownership, communication gaps, siloed teams, and cultural friction, into visuals that leadership participants could emotionally connect with.
Leadership Transformation Workshop Experience
Designed a facilitated workshop experience for an R&D Operations leadership team, transforming complex organizational challenges into interactive posters, reflection exercises, and participant journals that encouraged open dialogue, alignment, and action planning.
OR
Leadership Transformation Workshop Experience for Life Sciences R&D
A human-centered facilitation system designed in Figma to help R&D leadership teams navigate organizational challenges, align around shared priorities, and build new ways of working together.
Deliverables
9 large-format emotional discussion posters (38 × 60)
Facilitated participant journal
Reflection and alignment exercises
Print-ready workshop materials
Unified visual system built in Figma
Visual communication
Challenge
Translate abstract organizational tensions into experiences that encourage honest conversations.
Solution
Design an interactive workshop system that turns complex leadership topics into tangible visual prompts and activities.
Created a cohesive facilitation experience that helped leadership teams reflect, discuss, align, and commit to future actions.
Image treatments
Image treatments
Typography systems
Typography systems
This is what recruiters will care about.
1. Distill the sentiment
Turn long workshop statements into emotions.
Workshop Topic Transition Emotional
Unclear identity: Invisible
Slow decisions Waiting
Culture clash Translation
Communication gaps Disconnection
No execution plan. Uncertainty
Build visual metaphors. This table alone would elevate the project.
Instead of literal R&D imagery, create emotional representations.
Challenge. Visual Metaphor
Can't explain our role. Person behind frosted glass
Slow decision-making. Person standing at a closed door
Global culture shift. Person midway across a bridge
Cultural inertia. Individual lost in a crowd
Show the Figma process
This is what I'd highlight.
Tools
Figma
Auto Layout
Component systems
Print layouts
Even better
Create one diagram.
My Workflow
Workshop Prompt
↓
Emotional Translation
↓
Visual Metaphor Exploration
↓
Poster System
↓
Interactive Leadership Exercise
Deliverables section
Created
✓ 9 large-format empathy walk posters
✓ Workshop worksheets
✓ Handouts
✓ Visual frameworks
✓ Print-ready assets
✓ Cohesive design system
Why I think this will do well on Contra
Because it isn't graphic design.
It's a blend of:
Systems thinking
Workshop facilitation
Information design
Leadership communication
Organizational storytelling
Which fits beautifully with the positioning you've already been moving toward:
Visual Storytelling & Communication Systems Designer
I honestly think this project is stronger than many landing pages because very few designers can translate abstract organizational behavior into human-centered visual experiences.
Like this project
Posted Jun 29, 2026
transformed abstract organizational challenges into human-centered visual prompts for leadership teams to discuss, react to, and prioritize.
Likes
0
Views
0
Timeline
Jun 12, 2026 - Jun 17, 2026
Clients
Plumtreeservices
