DMAD-00
Studio Introduction
A studio overview that communicates mission, method, and outputs as a published imprint document.
Studio Proposal
Design Makes a Difference
Design Makes a Difference is a systems literacy studio founded by Lawrell Wenzel. The studio translates lived experience navigating complex systems—healthcare, disability services, education, and social programs—into structured tools, creative artifacts, and documentation frameworks that help people communicate effectively within those systems.
What we make
- Artifacts: Published tools that translate lived systems insight into structured resources.
- Consulting: Systems literacy support for documentation, communication, and navigation.
- Studio vision: A community studio where people create artifacts and learn documentation strategy.
The Lightbulb Method
A studio framework for transforming lived insight into shareable tools: Insight → Context → Regulation → Export.
Artifact publishing system
Design Makes a Difference organizes its work through a catalogued publishing system. Artifacts are structured tools and publications designed to translate lived systems navigation into formats institutions can understand. Each artifact is numbered and released like a studio publication.
DMAD-01
Systems Navigation Journal
A guided documentation tool designed to help individuals and caregivers organize lived experience into structured records.
DMAD-02
Systems Story Framework
A narrative structure that turns complex systems experience into clear, communicable documentation.
DMAD-03
Advocacy Documentation Toolkit
Templates and visual prompts that help people prepare, track, and export documentation across systems.
Consulting
Systems literacy consulting helps individuals and caregivers prepare documentation, clarify narratives, and communicate effectively within complex institutional environments.
- Documentation preparation and organization
- Systems narrative structuring (what to say, how to say it, where it belongs)
- Meeting prep for school, healthcare, and services
- Artifact-driven workflows to reduce cognitive load
Studio vision
The long-term goal is a community studio where people can create artifacts, learn documentation strategy, and participate in collaborative design work—an environment that blends art studio energy with systems literacy.