
Prepare
and plan
Things to help you get you started: Informed consent, research planning, workshop design and things to consider when creating collaborative spaces.
Listen deeply
Tools and techniques to support conversations, talking and explaining: Diaries and probes, provocations, cards sorting approaches.
Make magic
Ways of making tangible things explain how things work today or co-create alternatives: Maps, collages, models, mock-ups and lean prototypes.
Push practice
Facilitate fun and get a bit weird by acting out ideas: Role playing and improvisation, games, props and simulations to pressure test thinking.
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I fell into “Co-design or faux design” back in 2018 when nervously presenting to a conference to service designers and researchers who where all apparently co-designing everything. And to put salt on the wound, I also have had a great conversation with Simon Katterl about faux-design dynamics. When I was presenting I suspect: Since then…
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Teams and projects worldwide use the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum to determine their level of participation. The Gradient of Partnering provides a way to assess and improve partnerships, moving away from rigid levels towards a more flexible and practical approach. This tool aims to establish a ‘Partnering zone’ for collaborative decision-making.
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This guide aims to aid Victorian services in implementing partnerships with community members. Offering practical strategies and guidance based on global practices. It caters to health services, government agencies, and organizations engaging with communities, providing insights on recognizing lived experiences and budgeting for engagements. It emphasizes the importance of valuing lived experience and provides resources…
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The post emphasises thoughtful considerations before initiating a co-design project. It prompts reflection on the team’s readiness, necessary partnerships, support for participants, inclusion of diverse perspectives, and sustainable collaboration. The inquiry extends to resource allocation, participant empowerment, and potential long-term impact.
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The Spirals and Squiggles diagram, developed by co-design crew at Safer Care Victoria, illustrates the co-design process and its connection to improvement science. The diagram visually depicts key stages, including build conditions, immerse and align, discover and design, design, test and refine, and implement and learn, using color-coded lines. It is based on various visual…
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This week I’ve been listening to the Collaboratory podcast Laying the foundations for co-creation (32:52). It had wonderful guests like Emma Blomkamp, Michelle Halse, Rebecca McNaught and Antti Pirinen. Credits: Hosts: Maya Haviland, Nicole Deen, Audio Engineer: Nick McCorriston In many ways it reflects many of the thoughts that swish around in my mind as…
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On 26th of May 2022 we hosted an interactive learning session at Giant Steps Co-design : the power of collaboration. What did we do? We have a fun, jam packed session for you today that is centred around having fun, learning by doing and aims to build your interest and curiosity around co-design and partnering.…
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The post reflects the transformative power of design activism in fostering social impact and inclusion. Alastair Fuad-Luke and Ezio Manzini advocate for co-design and strategic use of design to trigger social innovation. The Design Justice Network emphasizes the need for broader participation in design processes, particularly by those most affected by design decisions.
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This article provides a comprehensive overview of co-design, covering its origins, influences, and toolkit. It explores cooperative design, collaborative inquiry, influences like Design for All and Human-Centred Design, and the concept of Design Activism. The role of toolkits like MakeTools in facilitating co-design processes is also highlighted. This multidisciplinary approach emphasizes the need for inclusivity…
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Co-design is a powerful tool, capturing diverse voices and improving products and services. It’s not just another form of consultation. Immediate benefits include original ideas, understanding user needs, and validation. Long-term benefits encompass customer satisfaction and support for innovation. For more, check out case studies from VicHealth and WACOSS.

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Based in Naarm (Melbourne) Australia
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