Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com Emily deGrandpre Sat, 07 Nov 2026 18:20:39 +0000 https://emilydegrandpre.com en Custom Journals https://emilydegrandpre.com/Custom-Journals Sat, 07 Nov 2026 18:20:39 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Custom-Journals Want an analog journaling practice for 2027? Let’s build you a custom journal! How it works: Book a 30-minute discovery call on ︎︎︎Calendly to talk through your ideas, hopes, and goals. I handwrite your journal. Every prompt is written by me, by hand, based on our conversation. You fill in whatever feels comfortable. What’s inside: Prompts inspired by our conversation Sketch and doodle space for creative outlets One-page goal-setting sheets Daily, weekly, and monthly reflections A 2027 Annual Review (my favorite part) Topics we can explore: mental health (ADHD, anxiety, productivity), relationships, physical fitness (run logs, mini training plans), spiritual wellbeing (meditation, somatic work), and emotional health. <img width="3022" height="3255" width_o="3022" height_o="3255" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d87de49bbf0b20eab36074a1cb1fcc233b7da35358812d0cbc7fc00856767df6/IMG_9599.jpeg" data-mid="254096814" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d87de49bbf0b20eab36074a1cb1fcc233b7da35358812d0cbc7fc00856767df6/IMG_9599.jpeg" /> <img width="2934" height="3161" width_o="2934" height_o="3161" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ece131134566f4a1d21c346d9920dc84cb2688245ec10a7c3918761b97349359/IMG_9600.jpeg" data-mid="254096815" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ece131134566f4a1d21c346d9920dc84cb2688245ec10a7c3918761b97349359/IMG_9600.jpeg" /> <img width="1086" height="1170" width_o="1086" height_o="1170" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c8331518eabab524e835238a75cfb8e2d6dbbdfaad3f923e5e0e7f5963d47189/1206D101-DD6B-4569-A72A-8DEF8F798F58.jpeg" data-mid="254096816" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c8331518eabab524e835238a75cfb8e2d6dbbdfaad3f923e5e0e7f5963d47189/1206D101-DD6B-4569-A72A-8DEF8F798F58.jpeg" /> Request a Reiki Session https://emilydegrandpre.com/Request-a-Reiki-Session Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:24:55 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Request-a-Reiki-Session Request a Reiki Session Request Form Google Forms allows you to submit a session request. I will then reach out via Text to schedule with you and ask for payment prior to the session. No tips are accepted.Sessions take place either in my home in Brooklyn Heights or at Balance Arts Center,&nbsp;151 W 30th St 3rd floor, New York, NY 10001, United States, whichever is more conveinent for you! About Reiki https://emilydegrandpre.com/About-Reiki Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:09:40 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/About-Reiki About My Reiki PracticeReiki in New York CityGentle, grounding sessions to destress, reduce overwhelm, and the feeling of being “on” all the time. [Request a session →] What a session feels like You lie down fully clothed, on a massage table or a chair (your choice) and I place my hands lightly on or just above your body. There’s no pressure, no manipulation, and nothing you need to do. Most people describe deep relaxation, warmth, or the feeling of finally exhaling. Some fall asleep. All of that is welcome. Sessions are 20-80 minutes and take place at the Balance Arts Center in Manhattan or in my home, in Brooklyn Heights. $33 / 20 minutes. Who it’s for... People who are busy, stretched thin, or just need a good 40 minutes where nothing is asked of them. Reiki is also a good fit if you’re new to energy work and want a no-pressure place to start. Why I practice I first received Reiki in 2022 from a friend in Ithaca, NY. I could feel the shift in my body and the intricacy of the energy it moved within me. This memory of attention on my body stayed with me, so I trained. I completed Level 1 in person in Horsham, PA, and Level 2 under Geordie Numata of Deer Spirit Reiki in NYC. I continue to practice with the Deer Spirit community in Manhattan through semi-annual Reiki exchanges. How I work I practice Usui Reiki, a Japanese relaxation technique founded in 1922 by Mikao Usui. Rei means universal, and ki means life force. It’s guided by five simple precepts that I try to bring into every session, and my own life: Just for today, do not be angry. Do not worry. Be grateful. Work honestly. Be kind to all living things. Ready to try it?[Request a session →]Questions first? [DM Me on Instagram @em.makani] Reiki is a supporting practice that enhances relaxation and wellbeing. It’s not a substitute for medical care. Amica https://emilydegrandpre.com/Amica Tue, 23 Jan 2024 15:53:16 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Amica 1. Amica Carnegie Mellon Tools for UX Design with Wayne Chung / 2017-2018 <img width="954" height="600" width_o="954" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1d4055946863a098543074a5bfb3b52750a6511e83109652e73903c127e8777b/0._AMICA_COVER_copy.jpg" data-mid="202575459" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/954/i/1d4055946863a098543074a5bfb3b52750a6511e83109652e73903c127e8777b/0._AMICA_COVER_copy.jpg" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; In a class called Tools for UX, Tina Park, Joseph Kim, and I, conceptualized a conversational AI service to help "trailing spouses" to adjust to a new social environment. This was a semester long project centered around futures thinking (designing with AI in mind) and considering our role as designers.<img width="954" height="600" width_o="954" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/592a5f13b5b1ae42a5c390a3cbf4f2f93b4c0ebc57e7556821cbf9507d9f3ef8/AMICACOVER.jpg" data-mid="202575463" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/954/i/592a5f13b5b1ae42a5c390a3cbf4f2f93b4c0ebc57e7556821cbf9507d9f3ef8/AMICACOVER.jpg" /> Following the class, in late 2018, AMICA was Invited to Global Grad Show as part of Dubai Design Week, under the category, "How do we design for Love?". My role was in the research process and in creating a new video that could stand alone without audio or explanation and being the team representative to exhibit the project in the Fall of 2019 (one year later). Check out the original video ︎︎︎here.<img width="1500" height="1125" width_o="1500" height_o="1125" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3b532f477fcd8c7172f93bb1b2d3d777ad171cbd483524c7bac048d6ec61bc73/Emily-sitting-on-a-chair.jpg" data-mid="203288944" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3b532f477fcd8c7172f93bb1b2d3d777ad171cbd483524c7bac048d6ec61bc73/Emily-sitting-on-a-chair.jpg" /> Leading up to the trip, I was awarded $500 in funding from the CMU School of Architecture to attend the conference. I am immensely grateful to Irene Alvarado for submitting our project to be invited to the global grad show. Project Process<img width="2000" height="1546" width_o="2000" height_o="1546" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/060c05dd6ffc61f0cd545d68e15c9694af1ba4392e97c62d548c6a5e1ef7173a/5a8dff6153abe6000129cab2_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.08_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289426" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/060c05dd6ffc61f0cd545d68e15c9694af1ba4392e97c62d548c6a5e1ef7173a/5a8dff6153abe6000129cab2_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.08_PM-p-2000.png" />As a group, we were initially interested in creating a service for newcomers, as we were all once newcomers when we first started our college life at CMU. After talking to newcomers from different age groups and occupations outside the school, we learned that trailing spouses have a harder time adjusting to the environment since it is hard to find the sense of belonging. Take a peek into the process. <img width="2000" height="1548" width_o="2000" height_o="1548" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/240b7c029b358c017cf5434c500cf84b998beff1d435f56caba8431ddf473257/5a8dff62b7a50a0001e271fa_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.14_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289428" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/240b7c029b358c017cf5434c500cf84b998beff1d435f56caba8431ddf473257/5a8dff62b7a50a0001e271fa_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.14_PM-p-2000.png" /><img width="2000" height="1545" width_o="2000" height_o="1545" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fbd6acd3d2fcba2cde45bddf3f9effda41ad59ca1c109bbafbb1e170f31feed5/5a8dff62689c090001cb8861_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.26_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289629" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fbd6acd3d2fcba2cde45bddf3f9effda41ad59ca1c109bbafbb1e170f31feed5/5a8dff62689c090001cb8861_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.26_PM-p-2000.png" /><img width="2000" height="1543" width_o="2000" height_o="1543" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f3de97ac59d2601644834c156c6f63cac2e373dab004fd7c9786893f1f10e905/5a8dff5f689c090001cb885a_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.32_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289778" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f3de97ac59d2601644834c156c6f63cac2e373dab004fd7c9786893f1f10e905/5a8dff5f689c090001cb885a_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.32_PM-p-2000.png" /><img width="2000" height="1543" width_o="2000" height_o="1543" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4d5bacd782ca899799a3700d5d63fa4aa5a9400cf60fc32c752826ffd3e07c01/5a8dff62689c090001cb8860_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.37_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289817" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4d5bacd782ca899799a3700d5d63fa4aa5a9400cf60fc32c752826ffd3e07c01/5a8dff62689c090001cb8860_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.37_PM-p-2000.png" /><img width="2000" height="1551" width_o="2000" height_o="1551" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/365cc9ed89f92268bf20c33df41a64918e45859e28ff682b6736e7b077bc0914/5a8dff6053abe6000129caaf_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.43_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289852" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/365cc9ed89f92268bf20c33df41a64918e45859e28ff682b6736e7b077bc0914/5a8dff6053abe6000129caaf_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.43_PM-p-2000.png" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="2000" height="1545" width_o="2000" height_o="1545" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/580d680c9faf48e4e4a8f18a82f98ffe5760b10102e4f00cfdf78dc35b0d18e9/5a8dff62dd3c110001045ebf_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.02_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289882" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/580d680c9faf48e4e4a8f18a82f98ffe5760b10102e4f00cfdf78dc35b0d18e9/5a8dff62dd3c110001045ebf_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.02_PM-p-2000.png" /><img width="2000" height="1550" width_o="2000" height_o="1550" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9eb753a54bfa3b97d34a5806aed5c697ae88c6c7429358e7ce0da27dacd75d62/5a8dff5e36499300015e010d_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.56_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289883" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9eb753a54bfa3b97d34a5806aed5c697ae88c6c7429358e7ce0da27dacd75d62/5a8dff5e36499300015e010d_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.56_PM-p-2000.png" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="2000" height="1549" width_o="2000" height_o="1549" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6fc161613d7da6834466bf411de25573c20a650951fe1fd5640d39a1cfdb8598/5a8dff6253abe6000129cab3_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.50_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289884" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6fc161613d7da6834466bf411de25573c20a650951fe1fd5640d39a1cfdb8598/5a8dff6253abe6000129cab3_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.21.50_PM-p-2000.png" /> <img width="2122" height="1632" width_o="2122" height_o="1632" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/74338a48d7677697d46b6c048458b770791d85a8991f8537cdf05bed042bb458/5a8dff5c36499300015e010b_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.05_PM.png" data-mid="203289885" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/74338a48d7677697d46b6c048458b770791d85a8991f8537cdf05bed042bb458/5a8dff5c36499300015e010b_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.05_PM.png" /><img width="2000" height="1544" width_o="2000" height_o="1544" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8ab2893aafebded71f401850c7a01cc40ef413be7e0588bbcca94e11e312d979/5a8dff5b53abe6000129caac_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.38_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289886" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8ab2893aafebded71f401850c7a01cc40ef413be7e0588bbcca94e11e312d979/5a8dff5b53abe6000129caac_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.38_PM-p-2000.png" /><img width="2000" height="1542" width_o="2000" height_o="1542" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f23b3872438b69aee04c0153a1b8821499affff4d0da777fa4bcc6104d3eab49/5a8dff5d36499300015e010c_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.12_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289887" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f23b3872438b69aee04c0153a1b8821499affff4d0da777fa4bcc6104d3eab49/5a8dff5d36499300015e010c_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.12_PM-p-2000.png" /><img width="2000" height="1542" width_o="2000" height_o="1542" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1c8f527c0ab858352a743e6170741f738ffff51dcb41b6737a2694509a838e72/5a8dff5cdd3c110001045eba_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.25_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289889" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1c8f527c0ab858352a743e6170741f738ffff51dcb41b6737a2694509a838e72/5a8dff5cdd3c110001045eba_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.25_PM-p-2000.png" /> <img width="2000" height="1545" width_o="2000" height_o="1545" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/471a69baa357cde5a8796efcf70bf55d657fd163f2a446cb311df4b0972c33c0/5a8dff5ddd3c110001045ebb_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.31_PM-p-2000.png" data-mid="203289892" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/471a69baa357cde5a8796efcf70bf55d657fd163f2a446cb311df4b0972c33c0/5a8dff5ddd3c110001045ebb_Screen_Shot_2018-02-21_at_6.22.31_PM-p-2000.png" /> Little Choices https://emilydegrandpre.com/Little-Choices Wed, 31 Jan 2024 19:58:31 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Little-Choices 2. Little Choices Human Computer Interaction Institute, Service Design Course / Spring 2019&nbsp; My team made up of Kevin Seelaus, Ashwin Rao, and Han Shi focused on the role of political consumerism can be tied to a grocery shopping experience. My role was pushing the concept development, wire framing, working out kinks in the prototype clickthrough order, and a high focus on the delivery and narrative of the pitch to the investors.&nbsp;The Digital Service Innovation course taught us much about the history and origin stories of digital services along the likes of Twitter, Airbnb, Uber, etc. In talking about products vs. services and the difference between S-D Logic and G-D Logic (from behavioral economics), we learned about the drivers for product management shifts and how ecosystems of users/actors can participate in "co-creating value". <img width="3410" height="2042" width_o="3410" height_o="2042" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5f9844c1f1236810c6edef0f93f897505b9ad7fa3d44fc803e5074048331ec72/little-choices-cover.jpg" data-mid="203290467" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5f9844c1f1236810c6edef0f93f897505b9ad7fa3d44fc803e5074048331ec72/little-choices-cover.jpg" /> The final product is Little Choices, an app we pitched to real life investors who came in to play the role for an end of semester demo. Little Choices is a huge conversation starter, question raiser, and a beacon of hope for people who struggle with the paradox of having too many choices and options. Our concept gives a first look at how consumer behavior can add up to helping with the climate change. Let's say you're in a grocery store, you need items and you have a list on your phone but the list in in our app and you get rewarded when you pick brands that are leaders&nbsp;in CPG sustainability, CSR, and participating in ethical production such as fair trade. You have an index at the tip of your fingers that helps you decide what to buy and what will work for your lifestyle. Is reducing your plastic use or slowing your meat consumption a goal? Great, you can get rewarded for those choices. The team I worked with held the fundamental belief that our industries and economics need to change in order to accommodate more sustainable growth and more health for people. Our target market was folks who may already have access to resources and disposable income but were looking for an app to help them with conscious capitalism. We created a conceptual app that allows you to edit the algorithm directly, for what you care about and the scope of products in the database are there to empower consumers and producers/creators. In the flowchart below, there are suspicious pieces of unresolved questions, marked in gray dots in the map. For example, "Trust Data?" — "Verify?" — "Cupon Club?" — "Publicize Activity" these are all product decisions that would have to be expanded upon later on. <img width="1760" height="1360" width_o="1760" height_o="1360" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/146710a73ba9996f0fb4eb12de0b78ab4f538cc2bf40d430b9748521aefbd2fd/LITTLE_CHOICES_User_Journey_Flow.png" data-mid="203291288" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/146710a73ba9996f0fb4eb12de0b78ab4f538cc2bf40d430b9748521aefbd2fd/LITTLE_CHOICES_User_Journey_Flow.png" /> <img width="1485" height="834" width_o="1485" height_o="834" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0af2831f753ec109cdcf57a7f297549f639bd51743f6c33600447abecf1259ab/Screen_Shot_2020-09-16_at_1.12.20_PM.png" data-mid="203291821" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0af2831f753ec109cdcf57a7f297549f639bd51743f6c33600447abecf1259ab/Screen_Shot_2020-09-16_at_1.12.20_PM.png" /><img width="1485" height="834" width_o="1485" height_o="834" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/32fb7f1f094a3bc878829a1a332861430e97073576a188afe336351226d3c429/Screen_Shot_2020-09-16_at_1.12.34_PM.png" data-mid="203291822" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/32fb7f1f094a3bc878829a1a332861430e97073576a188afe336351226d3c429/Screen_Shot_2020-09-16_at_1.12.34_PM.png" /><img width="1940" height="1112" width_o="1940" height_o="1112" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9d775795446a19d6f254e35a70e6f2df209b1ac3a448ee575d5f4d18271dad64/Screen_Shot_2019-05-10_at_8.13.12_AM.png" data-mid="203291823" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9d775795446a19d6f254e35a70e6f2df209b1ac3a448ee575d5f4d18271dad64/Screen_Shot_2019-05-10_at_8.13.12_AM.png" /><img width="840" height="628" width_o="840" height_o="628" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bb560d10ba13c6abe8ee13227c5c0f10b255f80af1bf718a1c4c28e5c297b01c/Screen_Shot_2019-05-10_at_8.16.42_AM.png" data-mid="203291825" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/840/i/bb560d10ba13c6abe8ee13227c5c0f10b255f80af1bf718a1c4c28e5c297b01c/Screen_Shot_2019-05-10_at_8.16.42_AM.png" />We pitched to 8 real investors who were allotted $1M (of fake money) each. Our app reached in the top 2 of apps presented. Center for Zero Waste Design https://emilydegrandpre.com/Center-for-Zero-Waste-Design Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:09:53 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Center-for-Zero-Waste-Design 3. The Center for Zero Waste Design, Brooklyn NY PT Employment October 2022 - June 2023 I spent my days...1. Summarizing existing data and research that addresses residents’ behavior and attitudes towards waste on Vanderbilt Ave2. Creating Templates and Layouts in Google Slides with coherent branding for CfZWD3. Creating renders in Adobe Photoshop to estimate the look and feel of Barcelona bins on the street and using Rhino 3D for modeling of various bins and equipment4. Illustrating suggestions for where equipment can fit into architectural drawings and mapping out paths where waste flows in the city <img width="1244" height="1246" width_o="1244" height_o="1246" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/000454777f77566b7b4fdb9609a22926c30bed27d380b9530ffabdbfafc5e142/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-12.41.48PM.png" data-mid="202043924" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/000454777f77566b7b4fdb9609a22926c30bed27d380b9530ffabdbfafc5e142/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-12.41.48PM.png" />We did an audit of waste and how it impacts Vanderbilt Ave. You can read the full report ︎︎︎here and the summary ︎︎︎here.I worked on the Slide Deck for&nbsp;Put Waste to Work: Vibrant Streetscapes and Open Dining. <img width="1298" height="966" width_o="1298" height_o="966" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a99b84fb15e9d94bf4214d811ec51ba76d05a3c9a853b5990dd9b3d9c07b8225/Screenshot-2024-01-16-at-1.28.29PM.png" data-mid="201937168" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a99b84fb15e9d94bf4214d811ec51ba76d05a3c9a853b5990dd9b3d9c07b8225/Screenshot-2024-01-16-at-1.28.29PM.png" />Inquiring about waste on the sidewalk of Vanderbilt Ave <img width="2322" height="1656" width_o="2322" height_o="1656" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5a4adcdd9e638ee0bf565d1c0c5423efeec0a9f4788abd562787cbe80fae55a2/Screenshot-2024-01-31-at-10.12.30PM.png" data-mid="203584570" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5a4adcdd9e638ee0bf565d1c0c5423efeec0a9f4788abd562787cbe80fae55a2/Screenshot-2024-01-31-at-10.12.30PM.png" /> Rendering of “Barcelona Bins” on the NYC Street Bokashi with DTE https://emilydegrandpre.com/Bokashi-with-DTE Thu, 07 Feb 2019 06:13:57 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Bokashi-with-DTE 4. Composting Volunteer / 2020-2026 / I am incredibly inspired by Shig Matsukawa’s work at recyclefoodwaste.com &amp; bokashi.earth Emily was introduced to her current garden by close friend and designer, ︎︎︎Silvia Cohn. Compost drop off open hours occur on Sundays from 12-4 and Tuesdays from 1-4 @&nbsp;546 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009. Working as a volunteer at the Down to Earth Garden in Lower East Side, Manhattan, has given me some of the most rewarding insights about the nutrients and microbes in our soil and about how we can help each other in the process of recycling food waste. Composting is important because it helps the soil retain moisture and nutrients, attracts beneficial organisms to the soil and reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers, reduces the potential for soil erosion, and sequesters carbon in the soil. The highlight of my time at the garden was in the summer of 2022 where I helped teach 20+ youth memebrs, from the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program,&nbsp;about bokshi composting and caring for community gardens. <img width="2342" height="1806" width_o="2342" height_o="1806" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4888e6f8fc60242ea32371d51d22771c9b546f94d1e005de2ba56b224d31e2a8/Screenshot-2024-01-16-at-12.18.47PM.png" data-mid="201930744" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4888e6f8fc60242ea32371d51d22771c9b546f94d1e005de2ba56b224d31e2a8/Screenshot-2024-01-16-at-12.18.47PM.png" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; What’s special about bokshi is the ability to ferment the food waste in an airtight bucket using a wheat bran based sprinkle that goes inside the buckets with the food waste. In a little as 2 weeks you have something in the bucket, that’s now ready to amend to soil. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c4078304271941fbf8ca51a645d6e10aed30ba0782f9388a646901e7837d316d/IMG_8178.jpeg" data-mid="201930666" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c4078304271941fbf8ca51a645d6e10aed30ba0782f9388a646901e7837d316d/IMG_8178.jpeg" /> After it’s fermented in the 2-8 week process (depending on the temperature outside) it can be added to the soil or to a compost system like a worm bin or pile. One of the main methods we used at down to earth garden in the summer of 2022 was trenching. We kept a map of the plots for where to dig up based on how recent another bucket was burried there, so as not to overcrowd the timeline of soil with fermented food waste in one area, but rather to spread it out and ensure it was breaking down and mixing well under the soil in the ground. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5c6a3c1fa765916231fdd7e0630bf11ea20c909040e92772abd05746d7f1cf90/IMG_4985.jpeg" data-mid="201931849" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5c6a3c1fa765916231fdd7e0630bf11ea20c909040e92772abd05746d7f1cf90/IMG_4985.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4c1edc3590f4c8948d0688bdc958dd1023e3aee583f518507d602e85817964a2/IMG_4863.jpeg" data-mid="201933167" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4c1edc3590f4c8948d0688bdc958dd1023e3aee583f518507d602e85817964a2/IMG_4863.jpeg" /> New worm bins for more composting in the garden. The experience is very manual, which can get tedious at times. Other jobs beyond sprinkling in bokashi into the food waste and chopping it up in the bucket include, gathering browns which are rich in nitrogen, like leaves, sticks and branches and sorting them by size for use in the burial process. Below is us making Bokashi sprinkle using the recipie found in ︎︎︎this checklist. <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4c02033f45f8a6d408bf6de4cbb45d113517e62304351665cc1b0fc6f3196d6d/IMG_1059.jpeg" data-mid="201936636" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4c02033f45f8a6d408bf6de4cbb45d113517e62304351665cc1b0fc6f3196d6d/IMG_1059.jpeg" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8ba1979c25cb436e308ca16ca74e34aac85e1d6009236466a4d0b5e805b74e17/IMG_1062.jpeg" data-mid="201936646" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8ba1979c25cb436e308ca16ca74e34aac85e1d6009236466a4d0b5e805b74e17/IMG_1062.jpeg" /> making Bokashi, image credit to Stefani Offline Collective https://emilydegrandpre.com/Offline-Collective Thu, 07 Feb 2019 06:13:57 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Offline-Collective 5. Offline CollectiveEmily and ︎︎︎Jasmine Sun present, Placewatching in Brooklyn July 24 2021 /&nbsp;McCarren Park, Brooklyn&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;about the offline collective: the lockdown is over; it's time to log off. we're bringing together people and places for creative and thoughtful in-person eventswhat is placewatching? 🔭 if people watching involves imagining the stories behind the strangers who pass you by, "placewatching" is observing the relationship of people to the physical environment they're in. field observation is one of the critical first steps of the urban planning process. it requires layering many kinds of information together, across space and time, to provide a holistic picture of what makes a place a place. in a casual, exploratory setting, we'll be simulating this work that urban sociologists and designers do to gather stories and data about a site of interest. by interacting with inhabitants, visitors, and passerby, we can begin to understand the neighborhood and its perspectives better: what made that person cross here or stop there? is this a typical location for you? other questions might ask for direct personal reflection about how a space makes us feel. how does physical terrain shape our own psycho-social experience? if you're nervous about speaking with strangers, don't worry! observation methods include sketching, diagramming, writing, and discussing in a small group. we’ll use a note-taking structure and activity tool kit to help us record and map our behaviors and feelings. we hope you'll join us for this journey 🗺️ <img width="4032" height="3024" width_o="4032" height_o="3024" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/42288bc6c8289257aebc344d88a90bf5a7e9358eb4036dc2fad44c53dfca9f3f/IMG_0529.jpeg" data-mid="201390249" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/42288bc6c8289257aebc344d88a90bf5a7e9358eb4036dc2fad44c53dfca9f3f/IMG_0529.jpeg" /> <img width="668" height="888" width_o="668" height_o="888" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/954984018a1b1d2cd36258f8614084c4f01e354a9edc9364395ba0cc64228d04/image-2.gif" data-mid="204736770" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/668/i/954984018a1b1d2cd36258f8614084c4f01e354a9edc9364395ba0cc64228d04/image-2.gif" /> Questions 1-8 ask participants to observe the people around them in McCarren Park area. Themes:Talking to PeopleTimeChose a personMove aroundObserveMove around and Draw&nbsp; <img width="4032" height="2680" width_o="4032" height_o="2680" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7a53c2ab8c2e1bd190ff48cdb57cfb391d3362326e79072b754a2607e84c35a9/IMG_5390.jpeg" data-mid="201391819" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7a53c2ab8c2e1bd190ff48cdb57cfb391d3362326e79072b754a2607e84c35a9/IMG_5390.jpeg" />&nbsp;select image to enlarge learn more: placemaking is a closely related but subsequent stage of urban design. it taps into a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential to create public spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and well-being. urban observation comes in many forms! here's one beginner-friendly toolkit if you're looking to get a sense of what we might be doing. Figma Party https://emilydegrandpre.com/Figma-Party Thu, 07 Feb 2019 06:13:56 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Figma-Party 6. Figma Party Emily deGrandpre / 2020-2021 During 2020, much of my community shifted from in person to digital and with that, I hosted online events in the form of, come as you are, let’s jam in a figma file together! Click to enlarge! <img width="2632" height="1438" width_o="2632" height_o="1438" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7fd6d952bfcd58101c651f5a6de4cf2e91bf2046afdfb574b00a011c84090b3b/Screenshot-2024-01-10-at-3.15.10PM.png" data-mid="201382243" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7fd6d952bfcd58101c651f5a6de4cf2e91bf2046afdfb574b00a011c84090b3b/Screenshot-2024-01-10-at-3.15.10PM.png" /><img width="1440" height="900" width_o="1440" height_o="900" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2bf876f962b08db4d4a33bc7ffe35a9c7af063f958675d74f00840eea9ce2c13/figma-party.png" data-mid="201381980" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2bf876f962b08db4d4a33bc7ffe35a9c7af063f958675d74f00840eea9ce2c13/figma-party.png" /> Resume https://emilydegrandpre.com/Resume Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:01:54 +0000 Emily deGrandpre https://emilydegrandpre.com/Resume Resume Coming Summer 2026