Design Thinking vs. Social Innovation
I read this article today by Robert Fabricant of frog design. He discusses the distinction between design thinking and social innovation, offering some helpful points for learning through the process of trying to apply change through design. A couple of my favorites:
#4) Your Perspective Is Not Automatically Unique. Research and empathy are critical to inform and inspire the design process. But it takes time to develop a viable perspective. You won’t walk in with one.
#7) You Better Be In It for the Long Haul. Ideation is just the beginning. Ideas are cheap. The determination and stubbornness to see them through is critical. Don’t underestimate the time it will take.
I think it’s wise for designers to take a critical look at what sorts of practical change we can begin implementing on a day to day basis and stay humble and patient during the long haul to acheiving it across the board.
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2 Comments
Thanks for this post Stephanie! I also agree with this observation Fabricant makes in the same article:
“Unfortunately, designers tend to fall prey to ideas that are too attractive and we don’t generally have the patience for the lengthy process to see initiatives through to the point of meaningful results (particularly if those results run counter to our attractive ideas).”
This seems to be a perfect description of one of the most challenging aspects of walking our own talk. It’s easy to say we have to stick with it (and lose ourselves, etc.), but it’s another thing to do it. I think the DESIS Network can provide further inspiration.
I also think that if we start challenging the notion of a designer’s ROLE, for the sake of more deeply considering the designer’s FUNCTION, we will be entering a less ego-centric understanding of who we are and what we do. The term co-creation, for example, can be thrown around a lot, but for designers who have been told that our job is to create (or be the creative ones), the use of the term can often ring hollow, and make us sound like hypocrites blind to our own beliefs of self-importance. Co-creation is a process of facilitation more often than a process of making, and the sooner we realize that the act of facilitation is a deeply creative act in its own right, the quicker we will get somewhere.
Finally, if you were involved in the information graphics found within Green Blue’s “Closing the Loop: A Guide to Packaging Material Flows and Terminology,” thank you! It’s quite an effective teaching tool.
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Hi Scott,
Thanks for pointing out that quote. I agree wholeheartedly with what you say here. When it comes down to it, there are aspects of a designer’s role that really need to change. I think designers have to push for that, though. Education is key. I was really fortunate at VCU to take a course by Noah Scalin called Design Rebels. Back when I was there, the class was in its early stages. It is an education on designer impact with ethics and lots of data and case studies mixed in. It is a true academic approach to design and ethics. It was eye-opening and left a huge impact on me.
Thank you so much for the kudos on the CTL Guide. I designed that and created the information graphics as well. I am glad to hear you find it useful!
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