Young people can be engaged in the design process: as informants (Katterfeldt,
et.al., 2012); in making prototypes as a source of creative inspiration for designers
(Fitton, et.al., 2012); proposing design concepts in workshops (Glasemann
and Kanstrup, 2008); or designing via creative design activities (e.g. animated
scenarios) (Katterfeldt et.al., 2012, Iversen and Smith, 2012). Our study aimed to
evaluate the use of methods in co-design by post-project interviewing young
people (with diabetes type 1) designing innovative diabetes self-care service
proposals.
Ten young people (8 girls, 2 boys) mostly in their mid-teens (one 9-year old),
their families, a Diabetes Specialist Nurse and four design researchers participated
in eight creative workshops from July 2011 to May 2012. The 2-hour
workshops followed a process of sharing experiences and identifying relevant
issues, creative exploration of ‘blue-sky’ possibilities, convergence to practical
proposals and prototyping (Design Council, 2005). Popular cultural references
(e.g. Cool Wall, X Factor, Dragon’s Den, Wallace & Gromit) were used at different
stages of the design process to establish a design language (Sustar, et. al. 2013).
In interviews, the young people reported that the project enabled them to:
share their diabetes experiences with peers (for the first time, for some); to reflect
on their relationship with their condition; and to contribute ideas towards
final design proposals:
“It was good because it wasn’t [the designers’] opinion, we all had a choice and
they combined it [ideas] so everyone got involved.” (Young Person)
Designers have to use popular references with caution, as some might be boring
or misunderstood (e.g. Wallace & Gromit) by young people.
Through participation and ownership of outcomes these young people believed
they were representing other young people with diabetes more widely
and, consequently, influencing their own and others’ futures.
D4H2013
et.al., 2012); in making prototypes as a source of creative inspiration for designers
(Fitton, et.al., 2012); proposing design concepts in workshops (Glasemann
and Kanstrup, 2008); or designing via creative design activities (e.g. animated
scenarios) (Katterfeldt et.al., 2012, Iversen and Smith, 2012). Our study aimed to
evaluate the use of methods in co-design by post-project interviewing young
people (with diabetes type 1) designing innovative diabetes self-care service
proposals.
Ten young people (8 girls, 2 boys) mostly in their mid-teens (one 9-year old),
their families, a Diabetes Specialist Nurse and four design researchers participated
in eight creative workshops from July 2011 to May 2012. The 2-hour
workshops followed a process of sharing experiences and identifying relevant
issues, creative exploration of ‘blue-sky’ possibilities, convergence to practical
proposals and prototyping (Design Council, 2005). Popular cultural references
(e.g. Cool Wall, X Factor, Dragon’s Den, Wallace & Gromit) were used at different
stages of the design process to establish a design language (Sustar, et. al. 2013).
In interviews, the young people reported that the project enabled them to:
share their diabetes experiences with peers (for the first time, for some); to reflect
on their relationship with their condition; and to contribute ideas towards
final design proposals:
“It was good because it wasn’t [the designers’] opinion, we all had a choice and
they combined it [ideas] so everyone got involved.” (Young Person)
Designers have to use popular references with caution, as some might be boring
or misunderstood (e.g. Wallace & Gromit) by young people.
Through participation and ownership of outcomes these young people believed
they were representing other young people with diabetes more widely
and, consequently, influencing their own and others’ futures.
D4H2013
