Back to School

I recently saw the inspiring joinedupdesignforschools exhibition at Somerset House, which showcases the work of the the Sorrell Foundation Young Design. The exhibition highlights what young people want from their schools, and shows how they develop life skills when given an important role in the process.







Paul Smith worked with one school in Nottingham to design a new school uniform. Through working with pupils to find out what they wanted, he found out that young people don’t necessarily want a uniform that looks cool or trendy, but one that makes them feel comfortable so they can learn better. The finished design is pictured below.

“We want a uniform that will make us proud of our school.”
- Client team



Joinedupdesignforschools is an example of ‘co-design’, identifying both problems and solution with the user, rather than imposing a solution with no user consultation.

“The kids can list the problems in a school quicker than teachers or governors. That’s very important.”
- Sam Jacob, designer

These projects illustrate what happens when you involve the user in the design process from the beginning, in this case a process that has improved young people’s environment, learning experience and ultimately, their education.

- Posted by Emily

Comments

[Laura Sorvala]

This is an encouraging example of 'co-design' actually taking place. Ideally all projects and design processes should involve this approach – as designers our purpose is to provide a client an outcome matching what they need.

Communication is a key factor in this – we must keep on asking questions, digging further and most importantly listening to what the client is trying to say.

It is often the case that a client will state their requirements and give a designer a brief with some more or less defining words – but this does not always mean it matches what the client actually means or needs. I think designers have to carry out their responsibility as professionals and bravely state where and if changes are needed – be it sometimes a delicate situation.

Back to the subject: this idea of user-centered design and user involvement has been around in the digital realm almost from the start. It is somehow odd that it has taken the Facebook explosion and other social marketing phenomena for companies to start realising that the Facebook founders really got onto something. Personally I don't see a big difference between the digital and other (eg printed) media regarding user input in the final outcome.