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In short
For the period of August to December 2022, I interned at the Eindhoven-based social design studio morgenmakers. During my internship, the core of reflection was based on the question: am I a social designer? By doing so, the value of social design has actively been explored in line with my vision, thus enabling the development of the latter. What aspects of social design do I perceive strategic and what is my personal area of expertise as a
social designer?
Company
Field
COACHES
Roos van Berkel
Maaike van Agt
Morgenmakers
Social design
Morgenmakers
morgenmakers (makers of tomorrow), spelled without capital "M", is an Eindhoven-based social design studio. It was established in 2018 by four entrepreneurs with educational backgrounds in Journalism, Architecture, and Industrial Design. Now (2022), four years later, morgenmakers aspires to unravel the complex realities of social and societal challenges with a workforce of nine makers (incl. 2 interns), each with their own unique skillset.
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morgenmakers designs connections between people, organizations and their environments. As social designers, they apply the power of design thinking to social and societal challenges. In response, they design and facilitate innovative processes, tools and events.
Internship goals
Below you will find the goals I set prior to and in the course of my internship. The goals are written as a link between my competencies as a designer prior to my internship and where I aim to go. You can read each goal in more detail in the report which can be downloaded above.
Get acquainted with the facilitation of co-creation
Develop expertise in the use of Adobe programs, with InDesign and Illustrator as main focuses
Be involved in the realization of tangible tool(kit)s
Explore new methods for analyzing and structuring
qualitative data
Get a better perspective on what exact role(s) a social designer may take on in a design process
Discover how tangible tools may facilitate the investigation of a problem statement
Projects
Below you will be introduced to the projects which I have been involved in during my internship and what main learning experiences I gained from each of them. First an introduction is given on the three project categories which morgenmakers tends to categorize their work in.
Activation
​
Facilitating behaviour
change in target groups
through interventions.
Creating awareness,
convincing and making fun.
Through innovative and
communal initiatives, new
behaviour may be adopted
and communities may be
kickstarted.
Participation​
​
Facilitating stakeholder
involvement, through
workshops, design sprints or
expeditions. Educational
setups are created for
conveying the value and
implementation of
participation. Participatory
projects may also concern
the investigation of a target
group.
Innovation​
​
Contrary to the other
domains, social innovation
is less process-oriented.
With an emphasis on the
unusual suspects, tools are
developed in response to
social challenges. Key
elements are employing the
designs independently of
morgenmakers in society.
Buitengewoon Jezelf
Who are you and who do you aspire to be? This is a search for all, but especially challenging for young adults with both autism and questions regarding their gender and sexual orientation. Interaction with their immediate network could pose beneficial in this regard. However, family, friends and healthcare professionals frequently exhibit hesitation
due to a lack of knowledge. In a 4-day design workshop with young adults and (in)formal caregivers, tools are developed which support the dialogue about their identity exploration. In the first phase of this project, a set of 8 tools have been developed. However, while designing a co-creation for this diverse set of individuals, a methodology has emerged in which a sense of belonging arose: young adults and (in)formal caregivers learned how to design on their own to enhance their personal expression and enable interaction with their network. In the second phase of project Buitengewoon Jezelf the development of this methodology has been continued.
StraatPraat Bevrijdingsbuurt
Housing cooperation Casade owns 93 homes in the Bevrijdingsbuurt in Waalwijk. They aim to investigate the opportunities for this neighborhood on both a social and a real estate level. However, the neighborhood's fragmented ownership — Cascade owns only a small percentage of the neighborhood's housing blocks — must be taken into account while formulating a long-term plan for the area. A pleasant neighborhood is something you create together. Therefore, Cascade prefers to involve residents, neighbors, welfare work and the municipality in the process. In response, a livability study has been designed which reverts to morgenmakers' tried-and-true 'StraatPraat' (Street Talk) methodology. For two days we circulated through the area as a mobile team, using a prominent panel with relevant topics to facilitate the dialogue. Red and green stickers served as a conversation starter to collect input from residents..
Toegang! Beschermd Wonen
In the Eindhoven region, 15 municipalities (including Eindhoven) are collaborating
in the decentralization of sheltered housing. This results in a shift of Eindhoven's responsibility to a shared responsibility over all municipalities. However, a decentralization is not only about adjusting rules, but also about a new way of working, the implementation of which requires time and the active participation of all involved. Additionally, this entails getting to know one another, letting go of old routines and (daring to) view from the perspectives of others. But how do you shape a collaboration between - and information of - so many stakeholders and how do you maintain momentum in the process? In response, morgenmakers utilized strategic questions to delve further into this complex challenge. As a result, the first step in this decentralization has been made. The facilitation of an interactive meeting served as a kickoff to let stakeholders shape a new strategy together.
Identity learning points
I have learned the importance of setting professional boundaries, embracing flexibility in social design, and adopting an iterative and reflective approach to personal development. In fact, I experienced the need to view project scripts as tools for anticipating potential scenarios rather than strict guidelines. I also acknowledged the challenge of letting go of control and the importance of maintaining control through planning. In addition, I recognized the value of taking breaks and while creativity often emerges during periods of introspection. I also noticed the power of iterative processes in design, such as making digital designs tangible and seeking feedback from others. Additionally, I have personally developed during the internship, including overcoming reluctance and fear of failure, and embracing challenging goals.
Vision learning points
The main developments in my vision are the concepts of playful learning, collaborative Design Thinking, and the importance of simplicity in social design. I recognize the decline of tactile exploration as we grow older and suggest that adults can benefit from approaching abstract topics with a playful mindset using tangible objects. I have noticed the difference between the societal design approach of Social design studio morgenmakers and the ID bachelor's program at the TU/e, and notice the collaborative nature of the former and consequent benefits. Furthermore, I developed an interest in designing tools that allow stakeholders to employ Design Thinking independent of the presence of designers. Additionally, I value the importance of focusing on the effect evoked by a design rather than its (technological) sophistication, as I believe simplicity often leads to intuitive and effective design outcomes.
Am I a social designer?
Reflecting on the concept of social design and my perspective on whether I consider myself a social designer, I recognized challenges in defining and communicating the essence of social design. Despite my interest in the tangible approach of social design companies that assist in communication within difficult contexts, I also recognize a personal preference for a greater emphasis on the making aspects of design and the sustainability of developed designs, rather than the consultancy-like projects commonly undertaken by certain firms. I also discovered the current perception of social design in society, noting both expressions of gratitude and scenarios of ingratitude. Therefore, as an answer to the question of whether I am a social designer, I am confident to say that I at least see future development as a designer in this field, with a focus on interactive, accessible, and creative approaches to address complex contexts.