By Kirsten van Dam (AAU)
Complexity in design and change theory were at the heart of a DESIGNSCAPES consortium presentation last month at the International Academy for Design Innovation Management (ADIM) conference hosted by Loughborough University London.
The June 19 to 21 conference brought together speakers and attendees from across the globe, including recognized industry professionals, international scholars and emerging researchers operating in the creative, commercial and service industries.
DESIGNSCAPES Partners Aalborg University and Tavistock Institute were invited to present their position paper “Articulating a strategic approach to face complexity in design projects: The role of Theory of Change.”
The paper stems from the work that the Tavistock Institute and Aalborg University did in relation to the DESIGNSCAPES toolbox. The focus for this paper was the exploration of whether Theory of Change can support more strategic approaches in design. In particular, the paper examines how Theory of Change was applied to DESIGNSCAPES – a project oriented, among other things, toward offering a supporting service for all those city actors interested in using design to develop urban innovation initiatives that tackle complex issues of broad concern.
It was inspiring for Tavistock Institute and Aalborg University to share insights on DESIGNSCAPES to such an interesting and engaged audience, while also receiving positive feedback from different perspectives. It was also an excellent opportunity to promote DESIGNSCAPES Open Call and the Green Paper consultation.
The paper can be found here.
