The promise of ‘network effects’ is a common feature in startup pitch decks, explaining how a platform-based product will grow. Businesses dream of the miraculous flywheel off 'network effects' that converts more users as they interact with their product.

Systemic design is an approach developed to help people—designers, practitioners, strategists and others—to better handle uncertain and complex challenges.

At Snowmelt, we consider systemic design as a mindset and process. Rather than rushing into ‘solution mode’, systemic design moves thinking and conversations upstream.

Snowmelt represents a change of state—the transition from solid to liquid. For us, it’s more than just a name; it describes how we think and work.

This article explores snowmelt as a transitory and catalytic state that occurs in nature. It provides us with a powerful metaphor for understanding human systems.