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Co-design for All

doing co-design in practice

Elvia Vasconcelos and Kristina Andersen

The Co-design for All course is a free online programme on how to put together a case study proposal using a co-design approach. It is aimed at anyone who is interested in learning about co-design methods and how to apply them in any real life scenario.

By the end of the course, you will have learned how to put together a case study proposal using co-design. This will be achieved by learning how to adapt and apply these methods to your chosen real life scenario and by producing materials contextualized to it.

This course is a direct outcome from the EU funded TRIPS project (grant number 875588) and builds on the experiences of creating case studies for accessible public transport. The main aim of the TRIPS project is to design, describe and demonstrate practical steps to empower people with mobility challenges to play a central role in the design of inclusive digital mobility solutions. More information on the project can be found here https://trips-project.eu.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome and introduction to the course

The co in co-design

A process informed by research

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for professionals and students who are interested in applying co-design methods

Covers visual note taking as an essential skill in co-design

Outcome of the EU-funded TRIPS project, which focused on inclusive digital mobility solutions

Instructors have expertise in co-design and accessible public transport

Provides a framework for developing and communicating co-design case study proposals

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Reviews summary

Co-design: foundations and practice

According to learners, this course offers a solid and practical introduction to co-design, particularly excelling in teaching how to develop case study proposals for real-world scenarios. Many find the step-by-step guidance and hands-on activities highly beneficial for applying concepts immediately to their work. The course is especially praised for its clear structure and well-presented content, making complex principles manageable. While highly valuable for beginners and practitioners seeking applied knowledge, some more experienced learners may find the content foundational rather than deeply advanced. The inclusion of a visual note-taking module is a unique aspect, viewed by some as an unexpected bonus skill.

An unexpected but unique module, with mixed reception on its relevance.

"The visual note-taking module was an unexpected but welcome addition, truly a unique skill to learn."

"The 'Visual note taking' was interesting, but perhaps not central to my primary learning goals."

"The visual note-taking seemed a bit out of place for a co-design course, though it was an interesting diversion."

Course is well-organized, easy to follow, and clearly presented.

"The structure was clear and the instructors presented the material well."

"The course is well-structured and easy to navigate."

"The way it breaks down complex co-design principles into manageable steps is fantastic. The structure is clear and easy to follow."

Provides a clear and solid foundational understanding of co-design.

"This course provided an excellent introduction to co-design, offering a solid framework for anyone new to the field."

"Highly recommend for beginners in co-design. It clarifies the 'co' aspect very well."

"For beginners, it's a decent start and covers the essentials."

Focuses on applying co-design methods to real-life case studies.

"The practical exercises and case study approach were very helpful in understanding how to apply the methods."

"As someone working in public sector innovation, this course gave me the tools and confidence to integrate co-design into our projects. The step-by-step guidance on developing a case study proposal was incredibly practical."

"I learned how to adapt and apply these methods to my chosen real life scenario and by producing materials contextualized to it."

Examples heavily tied to one project, potentially limiting broader applicability.

"I felt it could benefit from more diverse examples beyond accessible transport, perhaps touching on other sectors like healthcare or education."

"Some of the examples were a bit specific to the TRIPS project, which, while relevant, didn't always translate easily to my own industry."

"I was looking for more straightforward, actionable advice, and at times it felt a bit theoretical without enough concrete examples that I could directly use in my small business."

May lack advanced strategies or deeper dives for experienced professionals.

"As an experienced designer, I was hoping for more advanced strategies or deeper dives into specific methodologies."

"It felt a bit repetitive at times if you already have some background in participatory design."

"I think more advanced learners might find it foundational rather than deeply challenging."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Co-design for All: doing co-design in practice with these activities:

Review: Universal Design Handbook

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Provides insights and best practices for inclusive design, which aligns with the principles of Co-design.

View Universal Design Handbook, 2E by Wolfgang... on Amazon

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Read selected chapters or sections of the book
Identify key concepts and principles related to Universal Design
Reflect on how these principles can be applied to your case study

Connect with Co-design Experts

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Guidance from experienced professionals can enhance your understanding and project.

Browse courses on Co-Design

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Identify potential mentors in the field of Co-design
Reach out to potential mentors and request guidance
Establish regular communication and seek advice on your case study proposal

Build your Co-design case study toolbox

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Dig into the three provided case studies to explore and evaluate material.

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Review the three case studies provided in the course materials
Identify key components and best practices from each case study
Organize and compile these findings into a central location

Six other activities

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Attend a Co-design Workshop

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Immersive learning experience to gain practical skills and knowledge.

Browse courses on Co-Design

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Research and identify relevant Co-design workshops
Attend the workshop and actively participate in exercises and discussions
Apply the learnings from the workshop to your case study proposal

Sketching as a design tool

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Reviewing resources on accessible public transport.

Browse courses on Visual Note Taking

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Explore online tutorials on sketching for design
Practice sketching simple shapes and objects
Apply sketching techniques to create visuals for case study proposal

Practice Applying Co-design Methods

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Deepen understanding and proficiency by practicing Co-design methods.

Browse courses on Co-Design

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Identify a specific aspect of Co-design you want to improve
Design and conduct a small-scale Co-design exercise
Reflect on the experience and identify areas for growth

Case Study Group Discussion

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Engaging in peer-to-peer discussions will provide diverse perspectives.

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Join a peer group or online forum related to Co-design
Present your case study proposal outline for feedback
Provide constructive criticism and support to other group members

Develop a Draft Case Study Proposal Outline

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Create an outline or draft of a proposal based on your real life scenario.

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Select a real-life scenario relevant to Co-design
Apply the course methods and principles to develop a proposal outline
Seek feedback and insights

Contribute to the Open Source Co-design Community

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Contribute and engage with the open source community to enhance knowledge.

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Identify open source projects related to Co-design
Explore the project's documentation and codebase
Contribute to the project by reporting bugs, suggesting features, or writing code

Career center

Learners who complete Co-design for All: doing co-design in practice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Designer

Product Designers use design thinking, user research, prototyping, and testing to design and develop new products that meet user needs. This course can help Product Designers learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the design process, which can lead to more successful and innovative products. Additionally, this course can help Product Designers develop essential skills in visual note taking and sketching, which are valuable skills for communicating design ideas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers (UX Designers) focus on improving the user experience of websites, apps, and other digital products. This course can help UX Designers learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the design process, which can lead to more user-friendly and effective products. Additionally, this course can help UX Designers develop essential skills in visual note taking and sketching, which are valuable skills for communicating design ideas.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Service Designer

Service Designers design and improve services, such as healthcare, education, and banking. This course can help Service Designers learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the design process, which can lead to more effective and user-centric services. Additionally, this course can help Service Designers develop essential skills in visual note taking and sketching, which are valuable skills for communicating design ideas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Service Designer

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers design the interactions between users and digital products. This course can help Interaction Designers learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the design process, which can lead to more intuitive and user-friendly interactions. Additionally, this course can help Interaction Designers develop essential skills in visual note taking and sketching, which are valuable skills for communicating design ideas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Design Researcher

Design Researchers conduct research to understand user needs and inform the design process. This course can help Design Researchers learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the research process, which can lead to more relevant and actionable insights. Additionally, this course can help Design Researchers develop essential skills in visual note taking and sketching, which are valuable skills for communicating research findings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

Design Manager

Design Managers lead and manage design teams. This course can help Design Managers learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the design process, which can lead to more successful and innovative design projects. Additionally, this course can help Design Managers develop essential skills in visual note taking and sketching, which are valuable skills for communicating design ideas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers manage the development and launch of new products. This course may be useful for Product Managers who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the product development process, which can lead to more successful and innovative products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Innovation Consultant

Innovation Consultants help organizations develop and implement new products and services. This course may be useful for Innovation Consultants who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the innovation process, which can lead to more successful and innovative solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Consultant

Strategic Designer

Strategic Designers use design thinking to solve complex business problems. This course may be useful for Strategic Designers who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the strategic planning process, which can lead to more effective and user-centric strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategic Designer

Design Educator

Design Educators teach design thinking and design methods to students. This course may be useful for Design Educators who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve students in the learning process, which can lead to more effective and engaging learning experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Educator

Social Designer

Social Designers use design to address social and environmental problems. This course may be useful for Social Designers who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the design process, which can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Designer

UX Researcher

UX Researchers conduct research to understand user needs and inform the design process. This course may be useful for UX Researchers who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the research process, which can lead to more relevant and actionable insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Researcher

Information Architect

Information Architects organize and structure information to make it easy for users to find and understand. This course may be useful for Information Architects who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the information architecture process, which can lead to more user-friendly and effective websites and apps.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Web Designer

Web Designers design and develop websites. This course may be useful for Web Designers who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the design process, which can lead to more user-friendly and effective websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers create visual content, such as logos, brochures, and websites. This course may be useful for Graphic Designers who want to learn how to use co-design methods to involve users in the design process, which can lead to more effective and engaging visual content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Co-design for All: doing co-design in practice.

Researching Medical Education

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Provides a comprehensive overview of participatory design (PD), a user-centered design approach that involves users in the design process. It covers the principles, methods, and tools of PD, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this approach.

Researching Medical Education

Paperback

$$$

Researching Medical Education

Paperback

$$$$

Researching Medical Education

Kindle Edition

$$$

Researching Medical Education

Kindle Edition

$$$

Verses, Voices, & Visions of Vallejo

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Provides a practical guide to creating participatory museums, which are museums that emphasize engaging visitors in the design and delivery of museum experiences.

Verses, Voices, & Visions of Vallejo: A Poetry...

Paperback