David Tennent
@davidtennent.bsky.social
Co-lead of BBC Neural Commons research Initiative | Delivering Outreach at BBC | Co-founder of BBC Enigma (ED&I) | Co-founder @tenkin-studios.bsky.social | Dyslexic Thinker.
We originally built the "Portal Pass" suite to make logging into our app ecosystem easier & reduce cognitive overload for our neurodivergent users. We just wanted a frictionless front door. 🚪 But we discovered something bigger... 🧵 1/3 #UX #ProductManagement #Innovation
Websites quietly tell the world how secure they are—weak settings, missing protections, email spoofing gaps. Most folks never see it until something goes wrong. So I built a free, safe tool that checks. Plain English, no jargon. Check your site here: tenkinstudios.co.uk/security-check
Post 1/3 The pre-interview panic is a feeling we know all too well. 😰 Staring blankly at a screen, desperately trying to remember the specifics of a project from two years ago. We realised this frantic, reactive scramble is the main driver of interview anxiety. 🧵👇
Software shouldn't cost the earth, and admin shouldn't drain your soul. We built CoachVault out of a genuine need for a secure, streamlined platform that doesn't come with a prohibitive price tag. If you’re a coach looking to take the mental load off your admin, take a look at the thread below. 👇
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 3mo agoYou hold space for your clients. We’ll hold the rest. 🌿 As a coach, your energy should be focused on the person sitting across from you—listening, guiding, and supporting their growth. But the "behind-the-scenes" admin can easily pull you away. 🧵 1/4
The hardest part of an interview shouldn't be remembering your own achievements. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built @tenkin-studios.bsky.social to solve exactly this problem. 👇
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 3mo agoPost 1/3 The pre-interview panic is a feeling we know all too well. 😰 Staring blankly at a screen, desperately trying to remember the specifics of a project from two years ago. We realised this frantic, reactive scramble is the main driver of interview anxiety. 🧵👇
@ukri.org Last week we had a brilliant session to kick of the next phase of our Neural Commons research initiative. Given the phenomenal work produced by the CDT team last year I'm excited to see what they can deliver this time. Check out the report they produced: www.bbc.co.uk/neurodiversi...
Mini Challenge with CDT for AI in Digital Media Inclusion
What inspired the team to get involved and what they think the future holds for the project
bbc.co.uk
As we finesse our workflow over at @tenkin-studios.bsky.social we're moving to launch stand alone platforms integrating AI to offer hyper personalised experiences. It's brilliant that we can offer truly personalised solutions at affordable prices. If you see opportunity then I'd love to chat.
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 4mo agoWe’ve just launched our second platform: Interview Star! Tired of generic interview prep? We built a system to take you from a blank page to interview-ready with hyper-personalised AI feedback. Try the free forever plan here: interviewstar.co.uk 🧵 1/4
Here's some of the exciting things we're building as part of our Portal Pass subscription over at Tenkin Studios. All to enable Neurodivergent talent to thrive. 🙌
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 4mo agoPortal Pass is a suite of capacity-aware tools built by & for the neurodivergent community. From energy-based scheduling to automated HR adjustment letters, we’re building for the way your brain actually works.£9.99/mo.🇬🇧 David talks more about what we're building: open.spotify.com/episode/7xs9...
It can be difficult navigating new UI so we've started creating 'How to' videos for each of the apps we're building. Let us know what we should build next and join the community.
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 4mo agoWant to know how to get the most our of our Portal Pass subscription apps? Join Simon as he talks through each new app release and highlights the key features that make the Portal Pass membership so special. Come join us on this amazing journey. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
There are moments in life that are real milestone moments and this is one of those for me. The Tenkin Studios Podcast. In our very first episode we talk about what inspired us to start Tenkin Studios and why everything we will hopefully go on to do is driven by our community first values
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 4mo agoWe are super excited to share the first episode of our Tenkin Studios podcast. Join us as we talk about our ambitions for Tenkin Studios and why we're driven by community first values: open.spotify.com/episode/1u38...
Rejecting the Startup Hustle at Tenkin Studios 🛑 In tech, launching a product is usually "crunch time"—cold coffee, 3 am monitors, and the badge of burnout. The industry says if you aren't exhausted, you aren't trying. Simon and I decided there's another way. 🧵 1/8
As we move closer to launching our first three apps, I’ve been reflecting on how well-being needs to be at the core of how we operate if we want to truly deliver that for our Portal Pass community. 🌿
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 5mo agoPost 1/5 In the startup world, this is usually the part where the music gets frantic. It’s "crunch time"—defined by cold coffee, 3 am flickering monitors, and the prideful badge of burnout. But at Tenkin Studios, Simon and I have decided to pull the plug on that narrative. 🔌
Post 1/5 Co-founding BBC Enigma—the staff network for neurodivergent talent—is easily the most challenging and rewarding thing I’ve ever done. It started as a tiny group of ND staff wanting to explore what intersectional neurodivergence looks like in practice. Now? We’re 1,000+ members strong. 🧠✨
Post 1/3 We talk about 'productivity hacks,' but rarely about the 'sensory drag' that kills focus before the workday begins. I’m in Dundee this week for a workshop. Normally, I’d work at a cramped hotel room desk. Today, I found a reception area with soft lighting, comfy chairs, and quiet music.
1/7 After 4+ years delivering outreach at BBC Scotland, I still feel so lucky to travel the country teaching pupils how to make films and podcasts. Watching them go from scripting to presenting is a joy—and let’s be honest, it’s got to be better than maths! 🎥🎙️
Post 1/4 Are we moving from an Attention Economy to an Intention Economy? 🧠✨ We recently collaborated the @ukri.org CDT team at Surrey University to explore a vital question: How do we build AI that truly adapts to human emotion? The results were brilliant - A mini-thread on what we found: 👇
As we move closer to releasing our first three apps @tenkin-studios.bsky.social , navigating the tension between 'low friction'and 'premium feel' is a conversation Simon and I keep returning too. We're really looking forward to hearing if the Portal Pass community think we've got the balance right 👇
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 6mo agoAs we build the first @PortalPass apps, we’ve hit a fascinating tension in UI design: The battle between "low friction" and "premium feel." Is it possible for an app to be too simple? Here is how we’re balancing Hick’s Law with the Aesthetic-Usability Effect. 🧵
A great video from co-founder Simon on why we stepped away from Lovable
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 6mo agoWith so many brilliant AI powered platforms accelerating the workflow of idea to app, how do you pick the right one amd what should you do if they're no longer fit for purpose? Simon talks about why we said goodbye to Lovable… for now: youtu.be/zINEUUhOWFc?... #DigitalWellbeing, #MindfulTech #AI
J Dilla's work has had a huge impact on me. I had no idea Detroit's finest was so heavily influenced by the UK music scene. For any J Dilla fans, this documentary is a must from @bbcradio1xtrabot.bsky.social 🙌 👏 🔥https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qw1l
a black and white photo of a man and a woman with their eyes closed
Alt: J Dilla from the photo shoot for the Donuts album.
media.tenor.com
I spend a bit of time this morning writing about the profound effect my Transformers holographic stickers had on me as a young boy. I'm hoping we can re-create some of that magic across the apps we build @tenkin-studios.bsky.social . 📟 🍱 🦋 #WritingCommunity, #DigitalWellbeing, #MindfulTech
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 6mo agoDo you ever just look at something and it just feels....right? For me, I'm taken back to when I was a boy and my favourite cartoon was The Transformers. I had holographic stickers of the Autobots on my lunchbox that had a profound impact... 📟 🍱 🦋 #WritingCommunity, #DigitalWellbeing, #MindfulTech
As we build our apps and the community at Tenkin Studios, Simon and I will be documenting some of our thoughts and insights over on on YouTube. Subscribe to join us on this exciting journey: www.youtube.com/@TenkinStudios
Tenkin Studios
Thoughts and insight from Simon and David on the journey building Tenkin Studios.
youtube.com
At Tenkin Studios, our ambition is to deliver frictionless UX without compromising on aesthetics. Here's how we're hoping to deliver that for the Portal Pass community: tenkin.co.uk/blog/The-%20...
Tenkin Studios – Inclusive Life Tools Built With You
We create inclusive digital tools that help you manage routines, tasks and wellbeing with less friction – shaped by the lived experience of our community.
tenkin.co.uk
Coming up on February 13! Join our @thinklab.bsky.social event with BBC UX & Inclusive Design and @cfernyhough.bsky.social, @davidtennent.bsky.social on the Neural Commons – a new approach to emotional accessibility in our online experiences. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/build-for-...
David talks about the power of community and what he hopes they can create through Portal Pass: tenkin.co.uk/blog/communi...
Tenkin Studios – Inclusive Life Tools Built With You
We create inclusive digital tools that help you manage routines, tasks and wellbeing with less friction – shaped by the lived experience of our community.
tenkin.co.uk
Soon we'll be launching our first three digital tools @tenkin-studios.bsky.social. It's going to be a super exciting year hopefully filled with lots of learning and an awesome community, all built through our Portal Pass subscription. 🚀🚀🚀
Tenkin Studios@tenkin-studios.bsky.social · 6mo agoWe're super excited to be launching Tenkin Studios with our first three apps going live on Portal Pass soon - More detail to come!
Join our brilliant team next Tuesday @cambridge to hear all about Neural Commons and see how you could get involved. 🙌
Tyler Shores@tylershores.bsky.social · 8mo agoCome join us next week for this great event with BBC and Durham University! @davidtennent.bsky.social
What if digital space responded to how we feel? Exploring what emotion based UX might look like: www.bbc.co.uk/neurodiversi... See opportunities? Let's chat.
Neural Commons
What if digital space didn’t just respond to clicks, but responded to how we feel?
bbc.co.uk
Just look what happens when you give young people a dream, an aspiration and a goal … Congratulations @ezracollective.bsky.social on richly deserved win & inspiring speech championing crucial role of youth clubs
Super excited to be taking part in this event alongside the @thinklab.bsky.social team. Come along and hear about all the cool stuff we've been working on together 🙌
Tyler Shores@tylershores.bsky.social · last yr.We're super excited for this year's latest and greatest Cambridge Festival, with two ThinkLab (@thinklab.bsky.social) events in April! Come join us for The Science of Neurodiverse Workplaces, with our colleagues from BBC: www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/scien... @cambridgefestival.bsky.social
