Social design focuses on using design methodologies that prioritize social issues at different levels, which can range from groups of individuals to corporates, communities and even entire societies. The rationale behind social design in design education states that students are not only trained to create aesthetically pleasing designs but also need to contribute to society by addressing social needs. This process requires collaborations across different disciplines to reframe problems, generate ideas and develop prototypes. The interdisciplinary collaborations allow for a wider range of user-centric design solutions that address social issues. Throughout the design process, human connections, user-centered designing, co-creating and empathy are highlighted. Two pilot studies are presented to provide a better understanding of the importance of incorporating social design concepts in design education. The first study involves a school in Hong Kong that specializes in teaching students with special education needs. Design students with an affinity for the performing arts worked with the school principal, a counsellor, and social worker by using a social design framework to develop a series of videos that was shown in a public exhibition. The second study involves adolescents with mild scoliosis. The goal is to improve their experience with treatment through a co-designing experience of their scoliosis brace that would enhance the visual aesthetics and therefore their engagement and compliance with treatment. The two studies shed light on the importance of integrating social design concepts as a pedagogical strategy in design education.

Authors:
Derry Law, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong
Jason Cheung, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
Mei-chun Cheung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Joanne Yip, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Derry Law is currently a senior lecturer of the Department of Design at the Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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