As I’ve written about before, there is a growing kōrero around co-design for the purpose of social outcomes in Aoteroa, including what it is and how it is practiced in a way that is ‘of here’. There are many facets and strands to this story, and I’m excited to say many voices pushing it forward ( see for example) .
At the UXNZ conference in Wellington in October, I attempted to capture some of the themes I’ve been seeing across teams in Aotearoa currently. The presentation, The Evolution of Co-design in Aotearoa, attempts to capture and outline some of “practice edges” that teams, practitioners and community members are experiencing, observing and working our way through as part of progressing this evolving participatory practice.
In particular the presentation highlighted:
- The move towards more complex interdisciplinary and interagency teams (and a greater connection between policy and practice)
- The cultural opportunities presented through co-design and whānau centric practices
- A focus on place-based and systems work – and more relational practice
- An emphasis on design as a means for community capability and capacity building
- A greater emphasis on action, outcomes and impact (during and after the design process)
- Increasingly complexity with regards to ethics and participation, and how we support these forms of engagement in legitimate, safe and sustainable ways
Looking forward to continuing to capture and document more of the co-design mahi emerging around Aotearoa in this space, as teams and communities start to evolve and develop practices that are most useful to them.
I was able to put this deck together due to the generosity and reflective practice of other practitioners and community members who shared their experiences. Thanks in particular to Lee Ryan, Angie Tangaere, Jane Strange, Anaru Kew, Tammy Potini, Alex Whitecombe, the co-design mumma’s at TSI, Desna Whaanga-Schollum, team members from MSD, Auckland Council, the Family Violence Networks in Waitematā and many others.
An audio version of the presentation itself is also available via the UXNZ site.
