Product Design
Sprints for
Social Impact
Design Off The Boat (DotB) is a borderless product agency dedicated to building solutions for companies that address Sustainable Development Goals. We work with talented women-in-tech from across the seas to help you navigate through the stickiest startup storms.
Product Design for Social Impact via Social Procurement
Design Off The Boat is a borderless product agency dedicated to building solutions for Social Impact. We advocate for the representation of women-in-tech and immigrant talent. What better way to burst your contextual bubble by working with a team that has experienced the barriers to sustainable change closer to home?
What Powers Our Engines
design thinking + design sprints + social innovation +
diversity & inclusivity + the borderless future of work
off the boat
[phrase, offensive] Recently arrived from a foreign country,
and by implication naive or an outsider. As in ‘What are you, fresh off the boat?’
What Powers Our Engines
design thinking
design sprints
social innovation
diversity & inclusivity
the borderless future of work
off the boat
[phrase, offensive] Recently arrived from a foreign country,
and by implication naive or an outsider. As in ‘What are you, fresh off the boat?’
FEATURED WORK
From a 3-Hour Sprint to an Award-Winning
Crisis Response Redesign
NeedsList is a real-time needs registry for disaster relief and humanitarian aid. The platform aggregates needs from vetted nonprofits, matching them with corporate resources to increase the speed, efficiency, and transparency of crisis response. Read the case study here.
How We Helped: Rapid Prototyping Sprints, UX Research, UI Design, Brand Consulting, Talent Acquisition
Natasha Freidus, CEO of NeedsList thinks:
“Sisa has done a fabulous job working with us this project. From rapid prototyping workshops to detailed UX, her team has led us through all aspects of the project. They go above and beyond, really thinking through the multiple issues around product testing and iteration, and are careful listeners. This talent for listening, and learning from mistakes, is unique — I have not found many designers to possess these qualities and I believe they will take the team far.”
FEATURED WORK
From a 3-Hour Sprint to an Award-Winning
Crisis Response Redesign
NeedsList is a real-time needs registry for disaster relief and humanitarian aid. The platform aggregates needs from vetted nonprofits, matching them with corporate resources to increase the speed, efficiency, and transparency of crisis response. Read the case study here.
How We Helped: Rapid Prototyping Sprints, UX Research, UI Design, Brand Consulting, Talent Acquisition
Natasha Freidus, CEO of NeedsList thinks:
“Sisa has done a fabulous job working with us this project. From rapid prototyping workshops to detailed UX, her team has led us through all aspects of the project. They go above and beyond, really thinking through the multiple issues around product testing and iteration, and are careful listeners. This talent for listening, and learning from mistakes, is unique — I have not found many designers to possess these qualities and I believe they will take the team far.”
WORKSHOPS
"I Have An App Idea" Rapid Prototyping Session
- 3 Hours
- Remote/In-person
- Beginner/Intermediate
Got a problem you think an app could solve? Instead of leaving it as bar chatter – and before you empty out your savings to build it – how about testing it to see if your idea works? We’re sure it looks great in your head but it’s no use if it stays there un-communicated. This works great for startups in the ideation or redesign phases as well!
Sign up for a 3-hour workshop where we’ll cover cost-effective and cleverly fast ways to take your idea from paper to a clickable prototype. You’ll be able to pick up techniques for problem-solving used by startups and giant tech companies that you can apply to your own sticky situations. These are the same workshops we conduct with our clients. See what they say!
No previous design experience required. For individuals, teams, or big groups. Can be done in-person or remotely with one of our expert product designers!
WORKSHOPS
"I Have An App Idea" Rapid Prototyping Session
- 3 Hours
- Remote/In-person
- Beginner/Intermediate
Got a problem you think an app could solve? Instead of leaving it as bar chatter – and before you empty out your savings to build it – how about testing it to see if your idea works? We’re sure it looks great in your head but it’s no use if it stays there un-communicated. This works great for startups in the ideation or redesign phases as well!
Sign up for a 3-hour workshop where we’ll cover cost-effective and cleverly fast ways to take your idea from paper to a clickable prototype. You’ll be able to pick up techniques for problem-solving used by startups and giant tech companies that you can apply to your own sticky situations. These are the same workshops we conduct with our clients. See what they say!
No previous design experience required. For individuals, teams, or big groups. Can be done in-person or remotely with one of our expert product designers!
THE BORDERLESS FUTURE OF WORK
THE BORDERLESS FUTURE OF WORK
Interested in starting your own remote business or curious to see how we’re able to handle your project remotely?
15,835 km
the distance that our
co-founders bridge,
from Bali to Toronto
10+ years
the experience that each member of our crew brings aboard
20+ countries
the places where we have honed our strategic expertise
15,835 km
the distance that our
co-founders bridge,
from Bali to Toronto
10+ years
the experience that each member of our crew brings aboard
20+ countries
the places where we have honed our strategic expertise
We have our HQ in Toronto and our fleets in Manila, Bali, and Buenos Aires.
We don’t have all the answers but we learn a lot from each other by being apart, together. We like sharing what we learn.
Allow us to save you a bit of trial & error with tips on how to run your own ship.
FREE ReSOURCES
Workshop Planner on Miro
Every expert in every industry has probably had to give a workshop. Some have been doing it for so long that they can pretty much wing it. But if you’re like us and can’t get a good night’s sleep without prepping for all the prep you can prep for, try our Workshop Planner. With this template you can:
- Define who the workshops are for
- Break down your topic into specific learning outcomes
- Keep track of all the tools, materials, you need
- Easily create a budget and generate ticket prices with our calculator
- Work with your team on Miro to organize everything
MEET OUR CAPTAINS
Sisa Lleses
Design Strategy, Co-founder 
Toronto • Manila
Sisa is the woman that every ‘startup’ stock photo warned you about. She rocks the boat with her sticky notes, design thinking, and sprint facilitation prowess. She steps in to create sense where opportunities are lost in the chaos of excess ideas and lack of constructive processes.
Asia Noble
Operations, Co-founder Bali • Manila • San Francisco
Asia makes sure this ship runs in tip-top shape. She has been pursuing a lifetime of creative problem solving, and all the responsibilities that ensure its success. She is in charge of the day-to-day execution of this ship’s navigational course.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
