Stop designing WITH your users! There is a better way. / Sloan Leo Cowan / Ep. #217
There's a problem with the current design process that often goes unnoticed...
A problem that can lead to less-than-ideal outcomes or, even worse, harm certain communities.
To understand this, we must acknowledge our huge responsibility as design professionals. We're often the only ones advocating for our users' needs, the voice of those who aren't in the room.
It's a privilege we shouldn't take lightly.
We make decisions, and judgment calls for the people we're designing for. Of course, we do our best with the best intentions, but we always will fall short.
Why? Because we aren't the users. We don't live their lives or experience their struggles.
Sure, let there be no doubt: having someone advocate for users is a good start, but it's not enough.
We can do better; we must do better.
Our guest, Sloan Leo Cowan, helps us see what "better" looks like.
The key is to move away from "designing for" or even "designing with" users and move towards "designing by" them. It means giving up control and power. Sound impossible?
Sloan Leo shares practical examples of how they've achieved this in their work.
This episode will show you a way forward if you care about creating more inclusive and equitable work.
Stop designing WITH your users! There is a better way.
As you'll hear, Sloan Leo's perspective on design challenges the status quo. We really need this to push the boundaries of design and ensure it stays relevant.
Keep making a positive impact!
Take care,
~ Marc
--- [ 1. GUIDE ] ---
00:00 Welcome to Episode 217
04:00 Sloan's social sector journey
08:15 Defining Community?
10:15 Service design "habits" (issues)
12:45 Neutrality in Interpretation
15:15 Facilitator vs. Interpreter Roles
18:45 Facilitating towards beliefs
19:30 Power Dynamics in Facilitation
21:15 Binary thinking in service design
26:45 Issue: Persona Development & Gender
31:45 Origins of Community Design Issues
36:00 How to approach the large scale
38:15 Open source approach
40:30 The challenges for service designers
41:45 Benefits for Communities and Designers
43:45 Advice for Aspiring Designers
47:15 Recommended Resources
51:45 Proudest Achievements
54:15 Keys to Success
56:45 Additional Resources
57:30 Questions for Reflection
--- [ 2. LINKS ] ---
Pronouns they/he
--- [ 3. CIRCLE ] ---
Join our private community for in-house service design professionals.