This week I was asked to respond to a very interesting question in the Design Week vox pop section.
This section captures people’s responses to a particular design question, getting a feel for what the industry thinks. I was asked ‘How can designers help to equip head teachers with an understanding of the design process for the building and refurbishment of their schools?’
What do you think?
I have included my response in the comments section, it would be great to hear how others would go about this…
Aug 29th, Deborah Szebeko said:
Here is my Vox Pop response…
“The designer should start by understanding the context and identifying the hooks, to explain how the design process can support change.
Once the head teacher can identify the value of using the process within their working environment, you can provide them with design tools to help them re-explain the process to others at the school, enabling them to identify user insights that can be developed into ideas for the redesign.
Designers can capture and package this process to help other head teachers understand the design process”
Aug 31st, Cassie said:
I am interested in how you can help the head teacher “identify the value of using the process”.
I imagine this is the most crucial part of the process?
Sep 3rd, Alice said:
I think that it’s essential in order for the project to succeed. If the head teacher does not see the design process as important then the value of the process is not understood.
I find one of the challenges in projects, is getting everyone involved to understand the value and importance of our process and how it can help create what they are trying to do.
Often this involves handing over to the people who are most likely to be effected by the project, so in this case the students, dinner ladies, teachers, cleaners and the head teacher. Once the headteacher sees the value in this then we can begin…!