Two designers from IDEO presented at West Coast Green this afternoon on "Designing Through the Lens of Social Change." Their two case studies, and the lessons demonstrated through them, show more about their design philosophy and approach than about the end products themselves. 
Both projects address the need to transport and filter drinking water in African communities. The Aquaduct, a sort of bicycle with a water tank on the back and a filter system operated by pedalling the bike back from the water source to the community, won a competition sponsored by Google. The other project, less high-profile but no less effective, addressed the same needs in a different community, with a different end product. Why not just design a cool device, and market it universally? That's where the lessons come in.
First, look for specific gaps and design with tailored solutions. In particular, concentrate on the specific physical, political, economic and cultural needs of the people who will use the product developed. Staff designers 'go local,' immersing themselves in the community and experiencing its conditions and worldview directly.
Second, flip the normal commercial design process on its head. Instead of the "think to build," which entails carefully planning before deploying the product, IDEO uses a "build to think" approach. In essence, they build a prototype and test it where it will be used, as it will be used. Failures of concept show up early, can be fixed before investment in full production, and lead to quicker success. As counter-intuitive as the approach sounds at first, it clearly works.
Both projects address the need to transport and filter drinking water in African communities. The Aquaduct, a sort of bicycle with a water tank on the back and a filter system operated by pedalling the bike back from the water source to the community, won a competition sponsored by Google. The other project, less high-profile but no less effective, addressed the same needs in a different community, with a different end product. Why not just design a cool device, and market it universally? That's where the lessons come in.
First, look for specific gaps and design with tailored solutions. In particular, concentrate on the specific physical, political, economic and cultural needs of the people who will use the product developed. Staff designers 'go local,' immersing themselves in the community and experiencing its conditions and worldview directly.
Second, flip the normal commercial design process on its head. Instead of the "think to build," which entails carefully planning before deploying the product, IDEO uses a "build to think" approach. In essence, they build a prototype and test it where it will be used, as it will be used. Failures of concept show up early, can be fixed before investment in full production, and lead to quicker success. As counter-intuitive as the approach sounds at first, it clearly works.
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