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NOVA - for norm creative innovation

To reach the height of innovation, we need to challenge norms. For support, Vinnova has produced the method material NOVA. With this, it should be easier to achieve inclusive innovation processes for solutions that contribute to a more equal society.

Norm-creative innovations can cover everything from less stereotypical products and services to more inclusive environments and social contexts. Nova focuses on norms that discriminate, but the content is useful in all innovation contexts. The material is based on the seven grounds of discrimination that are regulated by law: gender, gender identity or expression, ethnic affiliation, religion or other beliefs, disability, sexual orientation and age.

What is norm-critical innovation?

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Download NOVA's support materials

Guide

In this leaflet you can read about the basics of norm creative innovation, the innovation and get an introduction to how to use the card game.In this leaflet you can read about the basics of norm creative innovation, the innovation process and get an introduction to how to use the card game.

Guide to Nova

NOVA - a tool for norm creative innovation

This material consists of 54 cards that can be used to promote creativity and collaboration. Here are four color suites: Spades that describe norms, Hearts that present role models, Clover that presents tactics and Diamonds that can be used as a basis for discussions and experiments. The card game also contains two jokers that are useful during teamwork. On all the back of the card there are instructions for concrete exercises to carry out. The exercises are divided into four categories to simplify the selection; Challenge, Explore, Experience, Design.

This material consists of 54 cards that can be used to promote creativity and collaboration.Here are four color suites: Spades describing norms, Hearts presenting role models, Klöverpresenting tactics and Routes that can be used as a basis for discussions and experiences-ment. The card game also contains two jokers that are useful during teamwork. On short- all back pages there are instructions for concrete exercises to complete. The exercises are divided intofour categories to simplify the selection; Challenge, Explore, Experience, Design.

Spades - Norms

Hearts - Role Models

Clover - Tactics

Diamonds - Experiment

The Joker

Challenge

Explore

Experience

Shape

Some of the content below can only be provided in Swedish.

Handboken Med NOVA in hand

This is a pedagogical tool for those who lead project teams or teach norm-creative innovation processes to students. The handbook provides examples of how NOVA can be used through
an entire project period. We get to follow three innovation teams as they take on different assignments. The projects
are of different nature and the project group is faced with different challenges during the course of the work as
they solve using NOVA's method material.

The manual with NOVA in hand

Dialogue screens

The dialogue canvases can be used to test and train the innovation team in working with an inclusive, norm-creative innovation process. You can choose between four dialogue canvases that present different assignments that the team will take on. In these, the methods from NOVA are selected in advance to fit the given assignments. There is also a blank dialogue canvas that you can use to develop your current project. Please print the dialogue canvases in A1 format so there is plenty of space.

Construction market

Power Tool

Publivet

Healthcare check

Tom - Create your own quest

Presentation template

Along with the dialogue canvases, there is a presentation template where each team can present their proposed solutions at the end of the workshop.

NOVA presentation template

Lecture template

This presentation serves as an introduction to NOVA and can be used to familiarize yourself with the material and gain an understanding of what norm-creative innovation can be. The presentation can also be used as a basis for creating your own customized presentation for your current project.

Lecture template

Questions?

If you have any questions about NOVA or norm-critical innovation, please contact one of us.

Moa Persdotter

Programme manager

+46 8 473 30 17

Sophia Ivarsson

Programme Manager

+46 8 473 31 60

Report

NOVA contains concrete tools and practical methods for anyone who wants to create norm-creative solutions – that is, solutions that are inclusive, accessible and sustainable. Products, services, environments and other solutions today limit many people because they are created based on too narrow an understanding of users' real needs. One reason is that there is often a lack of knowledge about how norms and values affect the outcome of innovation and development work. This material supports developers in both analyzing user needs and translating the knowledge into innovative and value-creating solutions. The focus is on norms that discriminate, but the content is actually useful in all innovation contexts. After all, all real innovation is about challenging norms! NOVA consists of a box with 52 method cards. The size of the box is 120x190 mm. For English version see/ For English version see " NOVA - Tools and methods for norm-creative innovation ", Vinnova Report VR 2016:06 Ordering The material is available in both physical and digital form. Here you will find the digital method tool NOVA for norm-creative solutions and innovation. For physical copies, contact vaktmastare@vinnova.se . Please include address and quantity in your order. Tutorial material for norm-creative innovation Here you can download materials and guidance for NOVA, which are intended for those who will lead norm-creative innovation processes. Med NOVA in hand - tutorial material

Last updated 18 March 2025

Page manager: Sophia Ivarsson