Exploring Life-Centred Design Tools: Insights from Applying Systems Mapping, Actant Mapping, Product Lifecycle Analysis, and Behavioural Impact Canvas to Redesign a Bestselling Chair

Core Concepts

Life-centred design tools can help designers uncover the systemic impacts of products and identify opportunities for more sustainable and balanced solutions.

Abstract

The paper reports on a first-person study that explored the usefulness and limitations of four life-centred design tools - systems mapping, actant mapping, product lifecycle mapping, and behavioural impact canvas - in the context of redesigning IKEA's bestselling Poäng chair. The systems mapping activity helped the team visualize how the chair is part of a larger interconnected system and identify feedback loops. The actant mapping tool encouraged the team to consider non-human actors and their agency in the system. The product lifecycle map revealed the natural and human resources used and impacted throughout the chair's lifecycle. The behavioural impact canvas shifted the focus to understanding and transforming human behaviours related to the chair. Implementing these tools provided a structured approach for practicing systems thinking, identifying human and non-human actors, understanding their interconnectedness, and surfacing gaps in the team's knowledge. The tools also supported brainstorming opportunities for interventions that could drive more sustainable and balanced solutions. The paper proposes a process for implementing life-centred design tools in design projects, highlighting the importance of involving domain experts, decision-makers, and people with lived experience to reduce bias and increase the validity of the insights generated. The authors also discuss the limitations of their first-person study approach and suggest future research directions.

Stats

"Interestingly, regarding furniture, IKEA is currently working a lot on optimising for reassembly, because they realise that people move a lot, and if it's not possible to reassemble the furniture, then it doesn't get reused as much." "Trying to impact the whole life cycle is a big task." "I feel like you need to bring people along from the beginning in order to like sell anything to anybody in the company."

Quotes

"It can get complicated when you look at every detail: from screws to fabric to wood." "The tool was good to understand the relationship between motivation and impact." "forget how the tool connects to non-humans, non-users and other life-centred perspectives"

Key Insights Distilled From

Reflections on the Usefulness and Limitations of Tools for Life-Centred Design

by Martin Tomit... at arxiv.org 04-25-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.15636.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can life-centred design tools be integrated into existing design processes and workflows to drive systemic change within organizations?

Life-centred design tools can be integrated into existing design processes and workflows by first creating awareness and buy-in from key stakeholders within the organization. This involves educating teams about the principles and benefits of life-centred design, emphasizing the importance of considering all life and the far-reaching impacts of design decisions. One approach is to start small by incorporating life-centred design tools in pilot projects or specific design initiatives. This allows teams to familiarize themselves with the tools and understand how they can be applied to drive systemic change. As teams gain experience and see the positive outcomes of using these tools, the adoption of life-centred design principles can gradually expand to other projects and departments within the organization. It is essential to provide training and resources to support the implementation of life-centred design tools. This can include workshops, online resources, and access to experts in the field who can guide teams through the process. Additionally, integrating these tools into existing design frameworks and methodologies can help ensure consistency and alignment with organizational goals. To drive systemic change within organizations, it is crucial to embed life-centred design principles into the organizational culture and values. This involves fostering a mindset shift towards considering the needs of all stakeholders, including marginalized communities and non-human entities, in every design decision. By making life-centred design a core part of the organization's DNA, it becomes easier to drive sustainable and ethical practices across all aspects of the business.

How can life-centred design tools be adapted or expanded to better address the needs and perspectives of diverse stakeholders, including marginalized communities and non-human entities?

Adapting and expanding life-centred design tools to better address the needs and perspectives of diverse stakeholders, including marginalized communities and non-human entities, requires a conscious effort to incorporate inclusivity and equity into the design process. Here are some strategies to achieve this: Diverse Representation: Ensure that diverse voices are included in the design process, including representatives from marginalized communities and experts on non-human entities. This can help uncover unique insights and perspectives that may not have been considered otherwise. Co-creation Workshops: Organize co-creation workshops with stakeholders from different backgrounds to collaboratively use life-centred design tools. This can help ensure that the tools are relevant and sensitive to the needs of all stakeholders. Customized Toolkits: Develop customized toolkits that cater to the specific needs and perspectives of different stakeholder groups. For example, create personas for non-human entities or design thinking exercises that focus on social justice issues. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure that the design tools are accessible and inclusive to all users, regardless of their background or abilities. This may involve providing alternative formats, language translations, or accommodations for different learning styles. Ethical Considerations: Integrate ethical considerations into the design tools, such as guidelines for responsible data collection, privacy protection, and environmental sustainability. This can help ensure that the design process is conducted ethically and with respect for all stakeholders. By adapting and expanding life-centred design tools in these ways, organizations can create more inclusive and equitable design processes that consider the needs and perspectives of diverse stakeholders, ultimately driving positive social and environmental impact.

What are the potential barriers and challenges to adopting a life-centred design approach, and how can they be overcome?

Several barriers and challenges may arise when adopting a life-centred design approach, including: Lack of Awareness: Many organizations may not be familiar with the principles and benefits of life-centred design, leading to a lack of awareness and understanding of how to implement these practices. Resistance to Change: Resistance from stakeholders who are accustomed to traditional design practices and may be hesitant to embrace a new approach that requires a shift in mindset and processes. Resource Constraints: Limited resources, such as time, budget, and expertise, can hinder the adoption of life-centred design tools and practices within organizations. Complexity and Scale: Implementing life-centred design at a systemic level can be complex, especially in large organizations with multiple departments and stakeholders. Coordinating efforts and ensuring alignment across the organization can be challenging. Inclusivity and Diversity: Ensuring that the design process is inclusive and considers the needs of all stakeholders, including marginalized communities and non-human entities, can be a challenge without the right frameworks and tools in place. To overcome these barriers and challenges, organizations can take the following steps: Education and Training: Provide education and training on life-centred design principles and tools to build awareness and expertise within the organization. Leadership Support: Gain support from organizational leaders who can champion the adoption of life-centred design and allocate resources for its implementation. Pilot Projects: Start with small-scale pilot projects to demonstrate the value and impact of life-centred design practices before scaling up across the organization. Collaboration and Communication: Foster collaboration and open communication among cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and shared understanding of life-centred design goals. Continuous Improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where feedback is collected, and processes are refined based on insights and outcomes from design projects. By addressing these barriers and challenges proactively, organizations can successfully adopt a life-centred design approach and drive positive change towards more sustainable and ethical design practices.