Research group Co-design
Lines of research within the research group
Developing solutions for complex issues requires a cross-domain approach, in which stakeholders look for possible solutions and interventions in a design process. The research group presents two lines of research that both influence and contribute to the designing capability of professionals, including both professional designers and non-designers. This capability involves a complete range of knowledge and skills, the availability and ability to use tools, methods, and a repertoire of case descriptions for systemic and inclusive designs.
Systemic design connects the strong, creative aspects of design thinking with existing perspectives on complexity of system thinking. Through a systemic approach - taking into account the past, present and future - new and innovative solutions can be designed for challenges in our complex and dynamic society. When designing these solutions, the system, the organic set of collaborative individual components, must be considered with all interconnected parties involved and how they are connected to each other.
Projects
- Chiwawa: Creative research methods
- Future probing
- Ontwerpen voor duurzaam gebruik van producten binnen product-dienst systemen
- Smart Solar Charging
- TAK
Inclusive design takes into account a diversity of stakeholders in the co-design process, it does not exclude anyone. The various actors who are part of the system are involved in the development, evaluation, and implementation of solutions. They are the experts or professionals involved, and the users of the solutions, such as citizens, clients, and students. All stakeholders take this diversity into account when designing solutions, so all intended users can make optimal use of it. Inclusivity is therefore about both inclusive participation in the process and design choices.
Projects
- Complete
- Count
- Grip
- How active are you?! Activity monitoring in children
- Pain
Practicing urban sports in public spaces
In collaboration with professionals and local youth, the software-programming for Urban Sports in Zuilense Vecht is formed.
Optimal emergency care for mentally disordered patients
In practice, the care for mentally disordered patients who require emergency care is often sub-optimal, because the primary focus of emergency care is aimed at somatic complaints. As a result, this vulnerable group of patients does not always receive the mental care they need, which means that treatment of psychological complaints is unnecessarily postponed and the risk of escalation increases.
Publications
- Changing roles in interdisciplinary Research-through-Design
- A process model on changing design practice An industrial design case in a healthcare innovation journey
- Psychological ownership affordances as routes to influence product lifetime Integrating top-down & bottom-up insights
Education
The aim of this research group is to stimulate design as a way of thinking, of doing research and of innovating - also referred to as ‘design thinking’ - both inside and outside the HU. We are also committed to embedding and disseminating this approach in education, and to improving the quality of education.
“The designer is like a midwife: guiding, nudging and pushing if necessary, but always aware that real change comes from the people involved. They are the ones who perform and secure the eventual transformation.”
Remko van der Lugt Professor of Co-Design
Collaboration
Fundamentals, Ideate, DIG, UMC Utrecht, DIO, Panton and Delft University of Technology / Eindhoven University of Technology / Radboud University Nijmegen