3.1 Opening Up Design Impact Assessment: From Singular Metrics to Plural Understandings

Corresponding Chairs

Cyril Tjahja, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Barbara Predan, University of Ljubljana, ALUO

Co-Chairs

Marina Castan, ELISAVA, Spain

Joana Meroz, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Annamari Vänskä, Aalto University

Harun Kaygan, University of Southern Denmark

Flavia Piancazzo, University of Bologna

Ines Tolic, University of Bologna

Petra Černe Oven, University of Ljubljana, ALUO

Abstract

The current reliance on quantitative metrics to assess design impact often overlooks the broader socio-cultural dimensions of design practice, highlighting the need to develop alternative, more inclusive methods capable of capturing the complex and multifaceted nature of the effects of design cultures on society on a global scale. While some efforts have been made to explore qualitative evaluation frameworks, a systematic and comprehensive perspective on this issue is still largely lacking.

This theme track invites scholars, practitioners, educators and policy-makers to submit original research, theoretical reflections and empirical case studies that critically pluralize concepts and frameworks that consider design impact assessment in different ways. We would like to invite case studies based on research, education, practice and/or policy as well as from diverse design professions that seek to challenge and/or complement conventional metrics and propose (alternative) interdisciplinary frameworks to understand design’s diverse roles and effects in contemporary cultures. 

Possible subtopics include:

• Mutual compatibility of alternative design impact evaluation frameworks 

• Alternative conceptions of design impact that are based in critical paradigms and approaches, e.g. feminist, decolonial, more-than-human paradigms and approaches

• Approaches that foreground unintended and/or negative societal impacts of design practices and outcomes

• Omitted or neglected understandings of design and impact outside of prevalent, academic and policy discourse 

• Limits of design impact assessment

Keywords

Design impact, theoretical-methodological frameworks, pluralising metrics, alternative assessment, qualitative design impact assessment

References

Akama, Y., & Yee, J. (2024). Entanglements of Designing Social Innovation in the Asia-Pacific. Routledge.

Bailey, J., Kimbell, L., Kaszynska, P., Mazzarella, F., Todd, J., & Nold, C. (2021). Design Economy 2021: Scoping Project, Environmental and Social Value of Design. Design Council.

Bertola, P., Vacca, F., Colombi, C., Iannilli, V. M., & Augello, M. (2016). The Cultural Dimension of Design Driven Innovation. A Perspective from the Fashion Industry. The Design Journal, 19(2), 237–251.

Mission Oriented Innovation Network & Design Council. (2020). Moving beyond financial value: How might we capture the social and environmental value of design?