Tools of engagement

There is a brilliant article on Core77 on engagement and the design process by Robert Fabricant where he questions the role of design and participation in tackling important issues. He sites some excellent examples such as Project H where 'user-centred' design approaches are integral to their work in developing countries.

One of the important points that Fabricant touches on is where do social sciences, including the more controversial approaches of behavioural economists, fit with current design practice.

"For example, there are principles from the social sciences, like Social Proof, exemplified by the smiley face on a utility bill which has been shown in studies to motivate people to reduce energy consumption by 20%. This does not come out of the traditional design playbook."

Folks like John Thackara have been calling our attention to this for some time: "It's about groups, communities, neighborhoods in which you have the capacity for a community to investigate and invest in solutions rather than individuals."

Participatory Design has been an accepted practice for some time now. When applied to communities, it implies a change in roles between the designer and the user, as observes: "Social innovation in the age of networks is a process of change where new ideas are generated by actors directly involved in the problem to be solved." 

Well connected article if you have time to read it.

One troubling example I found of beautiful but *complete nonsense* design and marketing is Zepra's 'Happy Water'... happy for who exactly?

 

[Note to self: I must try and go a week without quoting John Thackara on the blog, I must try and go a week without......]