“Design for social good” is an idea that sells itself. It involves taking the valuable
insights of the design
field, which have contributed to building up the wealth of brands like Apple and Nike, and trying to apply these
skills to support the communities we live in.
But this field also has a shaky history, filled with well-intentioned, but ill-prepared designers venturing into
communities where they don’t belong and are spending millions of the world’s resources on transporting
‘solutions’ from one nation to another. Ideas that often fail to scale or meet the needs of these communities at
significant social and infrastructural costs.
Determined that this can’t be the only way for design to interact with the field of social work, I dedicated my
thesis to researching and understanding how design can do better in service to communities.
In a year-long attempt to thoughtfully engage with the design for social good field, I conducted a series of
case studies. These case studies partnered with community organizations to identify opportunities for design and
use design to improve processes, offer new ideas, or introduce a little bit more fun into the work that these
organizations are already doing to support their communities.
As a result of these case studies, I was able to build the patchworks framework, a community-driven design
process grounded in care, humility, and iteration. This page will walk you through the framework while alluding
to the case studies and partnerships that yielded these insights. I hope that this framework serves as a jumping
off point for designers to incorporate design for their communities alongside their practice.
As a result of these case studies, I was able to build the patchworks framework, a community-driven design process grounded in care, humility, and iteration. This page will walk you through the framework while alluding to the case studies and partnerships that yielded these insights. I hope that this framework serves as a jumping off point for designers to incorporate design for their communities alongside their practice.
Designers begin by reaching out and showing up. The first step in the Patchworks research process is volunteering, listening, and asking questions to understand how support systems already operate. Building partnerships with community partners is key.
This quilted systems map is used to illustrate the place that patches take in the context of larger, gappy systems. Research and mapping can help the designer and others see the the context of the community orgs in order to better understand the forces orgs are grappling with.
The process meanders rather than follows a linear model. Insights surface slowly, and designers need to meet the community partners with tools, games, and interviews to identify potential design opportunities.
CLICK TO SEE HOW THE PATCHWORKS PROCESS COMPARES TO THE CLASSIC DOUBLE DIAMOND
The design process then meanders rather than follows a linear model. Insights surface slowly, shaped by trust, time, and the expertise of community partners and clients.
Most ideas never leave paper. The ones that do are sketched, Photoshopped, or mocked up in cardboard. Low-fidelity designs and prototypes are used to elicit insights from partners and involve them in early decision-making processes.
Because there may only be one shot at implementation, every detail is carefully worked out. The first prototype is often the final, so they need to both work and look for dignified community service.
Designed tools are documented and delivered with care to community partners. Use of visual guides, and
implementation training helps make sure that the designs work themselves into the regular infrastructures of
the partner organizations, rather than being dumped. The goal is fot the projects to remain sustainable
without depending on oversight or additional labor.
Interested in reading more about the Patchworks Design Framework? Please check out the online publication of
this work on RISD's
Library Page.
Because digital publications aren't for everyone, I have comissioned a small edition of printed books. These
cost $30 with typical domestic shipping of $10. If you would like to purchasea physical copy, please shoot
me an email.
