Grace Nicklin
About Grace Nicklin
Grace Nicklin serves as the Senior Design Director and Co-Lead of the North American Research & Insights Group at IDEO, where she has worked since 2021. With a background in design and research, she has contributed to various initiatives, including the launch of Moonrise for American Family Insurance and the relaunch of SimpliSafe's security system.
Work at IDEO
Grace Nicklin has been with IDEO since 2012, holding various positions that reflect her growth and expertise in design and research. Currently, she serves as the Senior Design Director and Co-Lead of the North American Research & Insights Group since 2021. Prior to this role, she worked as a Design Director from 2019 to 2021, and as a Senior Design Lead from 2016 to 2017. Her earlier roles at IDEO include Designer and Design Research Operations, showcasing her extensive experience in design and research methodologies.
Education and Expertise
Grace Nicklin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies and Writing from Pitzer College, where she studied from 2004 to 2008. She completed her secondary education at New Trier High School from 2000 to 2004. Her educational background complements her professional experience, particularly in design thinking and research strategies, which she applies in her current role at IDEO.
Background
Before joining IDEO, Grace Nicklin gained experience in various roles that contributed to her design and analytical skills. She worked as a Redwoods Analyst and Sr. Analyst at DaVita Inc. from 2008 to 2011, where she focused on data analysis. Additionally, she held internships at the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and First Analysis, which provided her with foundational skills in grant writing and research.
Achievements
Grace Nicklin has contributed to significant projects during her tenure at IDEO. Notably, she played a key role in the award-winning 2018 relaunch of SimpliSafe’s entire security system experience. She also collaborated with American Family Insurance to launch Moonrise, an anti-gig economy staffing venture. Her work emphasizes human-centered design and operational strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness.
Focus Areas and Initiatives
In her current role, Grace Nicklin focuses on special operations initiatives at IDEO, including leading efforts to envision and prototype future ways of working. She has led partnerships with consumer banks to enhance their human-centered approaches. Additionally, she is involved in developing talent strategies that emphasize belonging and craft excellence within IDEO's North American Research & Insights team.