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Expanding environmental discourse through practice-led research: From an experimental pavilion to mainstream architecture
No full textThis practice-led research paper explores how the making of a temporary architectural intervention with a transformative sustainability aim can expand environmental discourse in mainstream architecture. The paper explores the case of Alusta, a pavilion to enhance urban biodiversity and encourage multi-species encounters and environmental discussion in the context of Finland. Through the case, architecture emerges as a practical environmental act and a cultural representation of lower impact living. Findings show how an experimental pavilion can bypass some constraints of large-scale architecture and become an agile tool in discussing topical sustainability issues. Small-scale projects enable testing and showcasing experimental solutions, lessons which can be scaled up. Specifically, radical inclusivity, an interdisciplinary and pedagogical approach and circular thinking can be incorporated in mainstream architecture, making a case for a more holistic approach to sustainability in architecture
Entangled in the design of a relational materiality: Beyond smart textiles
No full textNowadays, ethics and care for the environment have shifted paradigms in smart textile design towards responsible energy use and preservation of natural resources. In this research, we aim to relate material science and engineering to textile and interaction design in discovering a vibrant responsive materiality triggered by ultraviolet (UV) energy. The research addresses a bottom-up approach entangling scientific development in material science, textile craftsmanship, and design to the understanding of human use and the capacities for change of this natural phenomena. Compared to a conventional textile design processes where material and form composition connect in a final expression, in this research, the designer and scientist are seen as enablers of material relations, leaving the artifact to exhibit multiple states and forms which are transformed by possible use and their sensitivity to natural phenomena. The selected textile artefacts are seen as relational at the method level; they open for different conversations and materialize entanglements of materials, techniques, methods, and research methodologies that relate experimental research to human-centered and more-than-human approaches
Exploring Data Physicalization for Environmental Engagement: A Case Study on the Disposal of Contact Lens Blisters
No full textIn response to increasing calls for more responsible and creative design approaches, this research explores how data physicalization can shed light on the often-overlooked ecological impacts of everyday consumption. Focusing on the disposal of contact lens blisters, a seemingly trivial yet significant waste stream, we developed two tangible interfaces that encourage playful and reflective interactions. Through participant observation and discussion, we found that making disposal habits both visible and interactive enhanced participants\u27 awareness of, and engagement with, routine actions typically deemed insignificant. By emphasizing embodied engagement, playfulness, and metaphorical representations, this exploratory paper contributes to design practices seeking to nurture more participatory and transformative approaches to ecological care, highlighting the potential of data physicalization to drive meaningful behavior change
Proceedings of Nordes 2025: Relational Design
No full textThis volume is the proceedings of the 11th biennial Nordes conference, hosted by OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, 6 – 8 August 2025. All contributions relate in different ways to the overall theme, ‘Relational Design’.https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/conference-volumes/1066/thumbnail.jp
AI-Assisted Designers or Designer-Assisted AI? Human-AI Collaboration in Service Design
No full textThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into service design has transformed creative workflows, raising critical questions about the evolving relationship between AI and human designers. This study explored whether AI primarily functions as a tool for assisting designers or whether designers increasingly supervise AI-driven processes. An analysis of AI applications in research, ideation, prototyping and system mapping revealed that, while AI enhances efficiency and automates repetitive tasks, it lacks the contextual awareness, creativity and ethical reasoning necessary for autonomous design decision-making. Designers remain central to ensuring user centred innovation, refining AI-generated outputs and mitigating biases. This study underscores the need for human supervision in AI-integrated workflows and advocates for a hybrid intelligence model in which AI augments human creativity instead of substitute it. These insights contribute to discussions on AI–human collaboration, emphasising ethical and strategic considerations in future AI-driven service design practices
An Analysis of the Process Enhancing Civic Pride Among Participants in the Participatory Local Public Relations \u27Koba Output Lab\u27
No full textThis study examines the Participatory Local Public Relations(PLPR) initiative Koba Output Lab in Japan, analyzing how citizen engagement in graphic design fosters Civic Pride and social cohesion. Using the Modified Grounded Theory Approach (M GTA), the study finds that participation enhances regional understanding, strengthens community bonds, and improves expressive abilities. Through Citizen Coproduction, participants transitioned from initial indifference to expressing local values. This study contributes to Participatory Design and offers insights for local governments, demonstrating how Service Design facilitates diversity-driven and long-term impact approaches in Social Innovation
Supporting Municipalities’ Design Capabilities Through Urban Experimentation
No full textCities are facing radical changes due to the simultaneous action of environmental, social, technical and regulatory factors. At the same time, they are the place where change happens and the main resources for change are available. In this context, cities are pressed to take action, but also to change their attitude towards urban innovation, shifting from a rational-administrative approach to a design-experimental one. An EU-funded project offered the opportunity for a collaboration between the project’s design team and public servants from 12 cities. This offers insights on the role of design resources in a sandboxing process, and on how this experimental approach can build design capabilities within public administrations (PA). The project’s design team supported public servants in figuring out the sandbox in its development phases; the outcomes of this collaboration are very different, given the variety of urban contexts and the level of embeddedness of design resources within PA
Role of Service Design in the era of Industry 5.0
No full textIndustry 5.0 (I5.0) represents a major shift from automated processes of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) to systems that put people first. I5.0 calls for a deeper focus on human centricity, especially on worker wellbeing and human-machine collaboration. This paper recognizes the synergy between the goals of I5.0 and service design. It uses a semi-speculative approach to explore the role of service design as a catalyst to the transition to I5.0, integrating service design’s core principles of empathy, co-creation and holistic systems thinking intro industrial processes. It examines the key challenges to the transitions and highlights how service design can support. It emphasises the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among industry practitioners, policy makers and service designers. It offers pathways for future research, highlighting how service design can enrich how I5.0 drives innovation, improves work quality and supports a sustainable, resilient industry
Journey Probe: Uncovering aspirations of early-career employees via narrated journeys
No full textNarrative mode of thought occurs frequently in the design process. The user research phases of a design lifecycle involve stories of users’ pains and aspirations. Aspirations can be abstract and highly contextual to uncover from conventional user research questions. Using journey maps can be an effective means to elicit user needs. Two designers experiment with journey-map styled worksheets i.e., journey probes as a tool for user research. The experiment was carried out to understand aspirations of early-career employees in a multi-national corporation in information technology services. The paper outlines the learnings gathered from the experiment and its potential as a tool for user research
Relational design in healthcare innovation: Exploring a multi-site context
No full textHealthcare is a critical component of the infrastructure of a welfare state, with public services at its core. However, its challenges are more complex and intractable than those addressed by service design frameworks. The relational design approach, aligned with participatory design principles, could provide insights for service design that promotes a focus on relationships, networks and situated knowledge generation. This study explores situating tactics in the research process of a large EU project focusing on shared decision making in cancer care. By analysing how topic, timescale and methods are situated across two research sites, we discuss how relational sensitivity has been enacted over time. We conclude that focusing on relational qualities may bridge gaps between system requirements and design participant needs, allowing for more nuanced and culturally sensitive solutions