𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁

✈️ 𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁

I came across this beautiful short film by Emirates—where old aircraft seats are transformed into schoolbags, through the eyes and hands of children.

It’s called Aircrafted KIDS. And it’s a masterclass in purpose-driven innovation.

What touched me most wasn’t just the upcycling—it was the intention behind every stitch, every detail. Here are a few takeaways that stayed with me:

1. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The kids weren’t passive users; they were co-creators. Their ideas shaped the final product. That’s the essence of human-centered design—inviting the people we serve into the process.

2. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 is about seeing value where others see waste

Most would discard retired aircraft seats. But great leaders and designers see stories waiting to be retold. It’s not just about sustainability—it’s about meaning.

3. 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: designing for dignity

Those schoolbags weren’t just functional—they were personal. Designed with care, for real kids, with real needs. The goal wasn’t perfection, it was pride. That’s the power of emotional design.

4. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 is the best design tool

Engineers, designers, kids, and storytellers came together to make this happen. A reminder that cross-functional collaboration leads to richer, more impactful outcomes.

5. 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀.

One small project. A few seats. A handful of kids. And yet—what a ripple. As designers and leaders, we don’t always need to build big. We need to build meaningfully.

🌱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

Design is not just what we make. It’s how we make people feel.

Leadership is not just what we say. It’s what we choose to see.

So next time you find an “obsolete” object, process, or idea—pause.

Ask: How might we reimagine this into something that serves people better?

Let’s lead with heart.

Let’s design with purpose.

Let’s build a future that includes everyone