TED Community » Gervais Tompkin

About Me

I strive to create innovative design responses to the behaviors, cultures and organizations I study.

Location:
United States, Fairfax, CA
Current organization:
Gensler
Current role:
Consulting Practice Area Leader and Design Strategy Studio Direc
Gender:
Male
Areas of expertise:
Design
I am:
Change Agent, Designer, Environmentalist, Idea generator, Parent, Student
My website links:
Gensler
Universities:
University of Colorado, BENVD
TED conferences attended:
TED2014, TED2012, TED2011, TED2010, TED2009
Member Picture

TEDCRED 100+ TED Attendee

More About Me

I'm passionate about

the magic in the mundane

An idea worth spreading

Our data shows that over 80% of the contemporary knowledge worker's communications and collaborations are over virtual channels. When facial and physical clues are removed from our social relationships we adapt. Writing can be like the soft stroke of a hand on a cheek, tone of voice like a wink. I expect the social biological and neurological responses we are used to seeing with facial clues are increasing with aural and literary experiences. The development of these socializing capabilities could contribute to a broader global trust and relationship network. Good for business, good for peace and cooperation.

Talk to me about

sexy conference call voice

People don't know that I'm good at

foraging

Comments

  • TEDCred score: +175.10 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

  • A comment on Talk: Stanley McChrystal: Listen, learn ... then lead

    Aug 8 2011: Stanley McChrystal is a great speaker and has important things to say about how to get people to work together and how to lead teams. “Great leaders let you fail but don’t make you feel like a failure.”
  • A comment on Talk: Eli Pariser: Beware online "filter bubbles"

    Aug 8 2011: For me this talk was a reminder that I need to be measured about balancing my digital information inputs with direct experience. Diverse, direct experience takes more time so it may require more effort to ensure that I am getting enough of it.
  • +1

    A comment on Talk: Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter ...

    Aug 8 2011: This talk was as low-fi as it gets: a person, her thoughts and voice. I admire the raw power and personal exposure of poetry. My creative products are almost always a result of work with others. Am I brave enough to bring that much self to my collaborations?
  • A comment on Talk: Morgan Spurlock: The greatest TED Talk ever sold

    Aug 8 2011: Before this talk I admit to wondering if I should spend more time cultivating my own brand, the brand of Gervais. Thanks to Morgan that idea is banished forever. I do think brand has an important role to play, but as designers we must stay focused on the messages with real value.
  • A comment on Talk: Anthony Atala: Growing new organs

    Aug 8 2011: By creating the underlying structure of human organs, cells could grow, guided by that architecture, and regenerate functional implants for people in need. If we look at cities as organisms, what cell growth are we trying to encourage as designers? Where does architecture stop and cell growth take over?
  • A comment on Talk: Deb Roy: The birth of a word

    Aug 8 2011: Deb Roy’s discussion about the development of language is one of my favorite talks in years. He traced the development of his son’s first word and gave examples on how the same methodology can be applied to broader issues. The information graphic is as beautiful as it is profound. The implications of this talk on space design are fascinating to contemplate.

Favorite talks

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