The Wheel of Belonging: Designing for Inclusion, Connection, & Community
The Wheel of Belonging, created by Storycraft Lab in partnership with Google Xi, is a dynamic framework that explores pathways to belonging in human-centered experience design. This initiative evolved from a qualitative study into a robust interactive installation and further expanded into the Belonging Playbook, offering designers tools to foster inclusion, connection, and community in diverse contexts.
Role & Contribution: Creative Director – Co-led research, framework development, and interactive design to translate belonging insights into tangible tools. Guided qualitative research, co-created The Belonging Playbook, and designed an experiential installation to bring the framework to life.
Research and Discovery
Collaborated with Google Xi on participatory workshops and interviews to identify eight distinct belonging pathways and explore how belonging can be facilitated in different contexts.
Framework Development
Created the Wheel of Belonging framework to guide individuals from initial engagement to deeper connection, using visual maps and pathways.
Interactive Installation
Designed and showcased a physical installation that allowed participants to explore and reflect on their belonging journeys through interactive stations.
Content Expansion & Resources
Contributed to The Belonging Playbook, a resource offering practical tools for implementing Belonging-Centered Design. Developed a companion card deck to support workshops and further expand the framework.
Publications & Papers
Explored the development and application of the Wheel of Belonging through published research and co-authored papers.
Development of the Wheel of Belonging – Shared research-driven insights into belonging pathways in event settings.
Building Belonging WonderPaper – Co-created with Storycraft Lab and Google Xi to explore belonging journeys and their impact on design.
