..STBY... for DESIS 2013

From theory to practice: Using design & research to navigate collaborations across countries supporting lasting changes.

London / Amsterdam..STBY...

@meghabird

Megha Wadhawan

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

..STBY... STBY is a networked company based in two locations. We do design in combination with research to innovate, improve existing or create new service propositions with our clients.

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

“But culture is rooted in ‘places’ and we wanted to access these places not just as outsiders but as part of the community.”

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

REACH

Pittsburgh, US

Sao Paulo, BR

London, UK

Amsterdam, NL

Copenhagen, DK

Barcelona, ES

Paris, FR

Budapest, HU

Milan, IT

Moscow, RU

Astana, KZ

Delhi, IN

Tokyo, JP

Singapore, SG

Hong Kong, CN

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

Social Innovation Toolkit*

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

A curated set of practical tools that can support people working in the development sector to find new ways to develop, implement, and scale their ideas.

Commissioned by Nesta and the Rockefeller foundation. The project is being carried out in partnership with our Indian partner 'Quicksand'

Bringing tried-and-tested social innovation tools to bear on some of the key issues and opportunities facing the development sector.

How to navigate this journey when there are so many pieces that seem to move as we go through it, with team members who are scattered around the globe?

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

Design in combination with research…

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

A generative role, in inspiring and enriching concepts, and helping to develop ideas out of contextual knowledge gained from people we meet.

For validation, research served as the evidential foundation upon which new concepts can be compared and measured.

The space between insights and ideas giving deeper roots to design.

Designing frameworks for interactions

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

Opening the research process up during the course of the project; whilst taking responsibility for delivering timely and focused results.

Achieving the stated goals, but in a manner that’s also sensitive to the wider context: What are the deeper question marks this project is seeking to address?

Being inclusive and open, yet structured while working in a transparent manner

Networked collaboration through design

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

Behavioural drivers can be more accurately documented when local cultural factors can be isolated and identified.

Regular, close and open collaborations mean projects like this often feel like working as a single entity.

Enabling technology

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

Thank God* for Skype, Dropbox & Backpack!

*and the brilliant brains behind them all

But technology is an enabler not a maker of these conversations.

Previous completed project

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

A simultaneous study in 3 separate timezones exploring how language is used in different contexts and social groups in China, Spain and UK.

Series of in-depth ethnographic immersions to expand.

Building a matrix of existing knowledge, developing a framework of relevant issues, expert interviews to focus.

Phase 2 studied Russian and Arabic, with partners in Russia and Egypt. A similar framework was adapted to the constraints of these non-latin languages.

So whats happening with the toolkit now?

The development of the toolkit has been divided into three key phases, with the toolkit becoming more concrete as it evolves iteratively through each phase.

We intend to road test the tools with a global audience of development practitioners. The next phase of user research will the prototype toolkit tested in a range of contexts and cultures as it iteratively evolves into the 3rd phase of final product design.

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

The toolkit is being built with the mechanism to allow conversation, feedback and reaction to how it takes shape meaning.

IDEACLOUD

DAY IN THE LIFE

CUSTOMER JOURNEYSCENARIOS

It’s got less to do with money than about not feeling guilty. As a person, I want to concentrate on certain things, like the environment.

I don’t let the children drain their bath because I can always use it for something else, like washing the dog’s bed.

SEco-sensitive and act accordingly - they recycle, minimise their use of natural resources, and feel good about doing it. Their routines are based on beliefs, not cost, and they articulately explain why whilst remaining open to learning more.

RS

HIGHWillingness to let eco concerns impact water consumption

LOWSensitivity to cost of water consumption

PERSONAS

Looking back..Probing underlying assumptions critically

Designing for interaction - need to allow things to evolve rather than set out prescriptive procedures

Structure and project management balanced with being open to new inputs

Creatively communicating the insights and ideas by visuals

Being curious beyond the question thats being asked

..STBY... for DESIS-UK 2013

Thank You.

@meghabird

London / Amsterdam..STBY... Megha Wadhawan