The Corruption of Co-Design: Political and Social Conflicts in Participatory Design Thinking

A critical perspective on participatory design processes is offered in the book, highlighting political, social, and methodological obstacles. It introduces a more critical and post-colonial perspective on participation and social innovation using global examples.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

One of the earliest critiques of participatory design processes, which are currently all the rage in design and business, comes to the fore in this book. It draws attention to political, social, and methodological challenges that arise when designers embrace design thinking, participation, and living labs. By utilizing global examples, the book offers a more critical and post-colonial perspective on participation and social innovation, challenging readers to think beyond traditional approaches and engage with the complexities of contemporary society.

The book begins by examining the historical roots of participatory design and its emergence as a dominant approach in the fields of design and business. It explores the allure of participatory design, which promises to involve stakeholders in the design process and create more socially responsible and sustainable products and services. However, the book argues that participatory design processes are not without their limitations.

One of the primary criticisms is that they often fail to recognize the power dynamics and inequalities that exist within communities and organizations. Designers may assume that all participants have equal voices and agency, but in reality, power imbalances can undermine the democratic nature of the process. Additionally, participatory design processes may prioritize the interests of privileged groups over those of marginalized or oppressed communities.

Another challenge is the methodological limitations of participatory design. Designers may rely on qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups to gather feedback and insights from participants, but these methods may be limited in their ability to capture the complexity and diversity of experiences and perspectives. Furthermore, participatory design processes may be time-consuming and resource-intensive, making them difficult to scale up and implement on a larger scale.

To address these challenges, the book offers a range of global examples that showcase the potential of participatory design to create positive social change. These examples range from community-based initiatives in developing countries to urban regeneration projects in developed cities. The book argues that participatory design can be a powerful tool for empowering marginalized communities and promoting social justice.

However, the book also emphasizes the need for designers to be aware of their own biases and assumptions and to work towards creating more inclusive and equitable design processes. It encourages designers to engage with a range of stakeholders, including those who may be marginalized or excluded from the design process, and to consider the broader social and political context in which their work is situated.

In conclusion, this book offers a critical and post-colonial perspective on participatory design processes, challenging readers to think beyond traditional approaches and engage with the complexities of contemporary society. It provides a range of global examples that showcase the potential of participatory design to create positive social change, but also emphasizes the need for designers to be aware of their own biases and assumptions and to work towards creating more inclusive and equitable design processes.

Weight: 220g
Dimension: 227 x 151 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032250014