Shaping design methods - speculative design and beyond!

What can design methods beyond speculative design mean? What values can a lump of clay, a piece of Lego or a constellation of bodies / human representatives contribute in response to sustainability goals of various kinds?

In the latest podcast from Vinnova, I explore with Pia McAleenan (SVID) and with input from Malin Grahn Marksell (Helsingborg Stad) the above issues. You will hear about how a lump of clay has contributed to a deeper understanding of complex interactions between students, families and school staff in the school system. an exploration (with objects and human representatives) of a system of actors linked to security led to important aha-experiences and strategic understanding of roles, relationships and interactions.We discuss the larger why: the need to make visible the deeper currents within the systems we operates within, such as sitting in bodies, relationships and experiences.The need to understand each other's inputs and perceptions of reality, create spaces for reflection, test ourselves, make sure we ground ourselves and start acting as living actors in living systems.

Ultimately, design methods are about activating our entire intelligence (intuitive and cognitive) and, just like in the projects in future prototypes, rooting ourselves in context, wholeness and the complex realities we live and work within when we seek paths forward!

You can find the podcast at the following link:

Podcast episode 28: Can you play with Lego during working hours?