A design theory paper presented at Include 11: The Role of Inclusive Design in Making Social Innovation Happen at the Royal College of Art, 18-20 April 2011.
Abstract
This paper will consider the implications of a cross disciplinary approach to socially innovative design processes by examining research work in progress within the ‘Design For Ageing Well – Improving the quality of life for the ageing population using a technology enabled garment system’ project lead by University of Wales Newport. Social innovation often manifests through the actions of motivated individuals striving to improve the quality of life of themselves or other orbitally linked persons or groups. Within this paradigm, change frequently occurs organically with facilitators reacting to emerging advances in design theory and practice, appending each discovery to their own creative toolbox to help catalyse their next move. Whilst this practice has been proven as a successful methodology, it can lack a strong underpinning, i.e., a firm research grounding, of user focussed strategic direction with the consequence that product outputs with the potential for socially beneficial impact can fall short of the initially visualised potential. The Design for Ageing Well project aims to bring the relatively new discipline of smart clothes and wearable technology to the active ageing and provides a good case study through which to examine these issues.
Keywords
- Social innovation
- design methodology,
- design theory,
- smart clothes,
- cross-disciplinary,
- active ageing.
Download the paper from the Include 11 proceedings.