Summary
Four female leads at Coforma reflect on their first year in civic design: a Product Design Lead, a Design Research Lead, a Content Design Lead and a DesignOps Lead. Using diaries, they'll journal about their prior experiences (10 years back), their first year at Coforma, and postulate on the 10 years ahead. Framed in their respective areas of practice, our four panelists will discuss design as discipline, as experience, as architecture and as vehicle for revolutionary change. We hope to uncover multi-potentialities within the civic design and technology space that could influence endless improvements within the private sector.
Key Insights
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Self-reflection is crucial for personal and professional growth in design.
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Civic design requires a service mindset rather than a 'hero' approach.
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Navigating power dynamics is essential for effective collaboration.
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Community relationships are paramount over transactional interactions.
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Designers should focus on building inclusive experiences that center diverse perspectives.
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The importance of vulnerability in acknowledging one's own biases and limitations.
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Power can be both situational and relational, needing constant examination.
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Long-term engagement with communities leads to more ethical and impactful design solutions.
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Designers must consider the social and environmental impacts of their work.
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There is potential for civic design to influence broader design methodologies in the private sector.
Notable Quotes
"I pondered who my work was for during the pandemic."
"Our journey reflects changes in design over time."
"It’s crucial to identify who we are truly serving in our work."
"Do we design for impact or for a sense of superiority?"
"Building trust and understanding is vital in civic design."
"How might we truly serve rather than reinforce existing power structures?"
"In designing with communities, we also learn to unlearn."
"Moving away from transactional relationships fosters deeper collaborations."
"Human-centered design must be inherent in technology, not an accessory."
"Self-reflection will guide our ongoing journeys in civic design."
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