Exemplars
Many individuals and organisations have delivered social design projects that meet ‘triple bottom line’ objectives.
Not all these practitioners describe their activities as social design but the social focus and impact of their work and how it is delivered in practice can be used as good examples.
www.socialdesignsite.com/
www.design21sdn.com/
www.worldchanging.com/
Current leading practitioners in this field include:
Design Against Crime Research Centre
The Design Against Crime Research Centre is well known for delivering products that accommodate use, block abuse and misuse associated with crime.
The Stop Thief Chair (2000) aims to deter pickpockets who dip or walk off with handbags, by encouraging café, pub and restaurant customers to place their belongings in defensible space. DanForm, a Danish contract furniture supplier, have licensed the designs and a new range of DACRC anti-crime chairs will be on the market in 2009/10.
www.designagainstcrime.com/
Engine Service Design
In 2008 Engine teamed up with Kent County Council to develop The SILK Method Deck. The aim of the project was to introduce a multidisciplinary approach to tackling difficult social issues facing the local community. This initiative utilises service design to build capacity within the council to address the process of policy making, be responsive and engage communities in solving community problems.
www.enginegroup.co.uk/
Helen Hamlyn Centre
The Helen Hamlyn Centre is the leader in inclusive design, primarily product design.
The Houdini is an easy to use fire extinguisher concept, produced by Matter New Product Design and Helen Hamlyn Centre (2006), which accommodate all abilities of users.
The Sandbug sander and other power tools (delivered in partnership with B&Q) show how incorporating user feedback into the design process can create a better product.
www.hhc.rca.ac.uk/
IDEO
IDEO is a global design and innovation consultancy with experts in human centered design.
In 2007 IDEO designed the Aquaduct bike to address water sanitation and transportation in the developing world. A pedal powered vehicle that transports, filters and stores water. The drive belt is disconnected to pump clean water upon reaching your destination; this increases the availability of potable water.
www.ideo.com/
Live|work
Street Car is a car share club launched in 2004; Live|work helped to create a customer experience which would enable Street Car to meet their growth plans. After 18 months of research, Street Car was launched in 2004 with just eight cars – today they have over 50,000 members in six UK cities.
Live|work saw the potential of the idea as its mission is to use design to make services which cut down on consumerism and instead increase the use of more sustainable services.
www.livework.co.uk/
Think Public
Think Public worked with staff from Birmingham North and East NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT), to develop a new method for increasing localised health care.
Spreading good practice nationally, Think Public co-developed the prototype for 'Clinic to Go', a portable carry kit containing all the information required to set up a community clinic. The 'Clinic to Go' toolbox was launched nationally across the NHS early in 2008.
thinkpublic.com/news/
Participle
Participle worked with Southwark Council to create Southwark Circle, a new way of taking care of older people which is linked to social networks.
They have created systems that enable retired people to visit other senior individuals to help with every day tasks such as mending and maintenance. Older people are less likely to become depressed and ill if strong relationships and regular social interaction occurs.
www.participle.net/