Research / Anthropology / Design

Tristes
Tropiques
Logistique

/ˌtrēst trōˈpēk lō-zhēs-ˈtēk/ · “treest troh-peek loh-zhee-steek” · [tʁist tʁɔ.pik lɔ.ʒis.tik]

Elevated insights from below sea level.
Designing futures by listening to the present.

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About

Tristes Tropiques Logistique is a New Orleans–based studio using ethnographic research and speculative design to address cultural, infrastructural, and climate transitions.We blend fieldwork, visual storytelling, and systems thinking to surface overlooked knowledge and co-develop future-oriented strategies.Our practice is rooted in the Gulf South but scalable anywhere insight, care, and contextual thinking are in short supply.

Who We Are
> Edward Benfield – founder, anthropologist & design researcher
> Lyndsey Nuebel – collaborating anthropologist & design researcher
> Kelsey Nowakowski – collaborating geographer & journalist

Services

Ethnographic Research
> Field-first methods uncovering systems, values, and needs.

User Experience & Design Research
> Strategic insights to inform tools, services, and policy.

Visual & Story Research
> Spatial, data-driven, and photographic storytelling.

Participatory Design
> Co-created futures rooted in lived expertise.

Our Work

With roots in journalism, tech, and cultural institutions, our work spans ethnographic research, visual strategy, and systems design.TTL is built on over a decade of applied methodology—from photo production to participatory fieldwork. Formal case studies coming soon.

Let's Work Together

TTL is open to client collaborations, joint research projects, and field-based partnerships.Reach out if you’re looking for smart, field-driven insight—rooted in design anthropology and informed by cultural context.

[email protected]