Decentralising Design. Raising the Question of Agency in Emerging Design Practice

This paper will reflect on some of the key changes that affect design, at a time when this approach is more and more used by Governments and communities around the world to influence what next for our societies. By reflecting on my practice working in a UK based mental health charity to “embed design” in the organisation, the paper will present two key shifts that are happening in design when applied to societal challenges: a shift in meaning, as the design object changes and becomes more associated with practices of policy-making, public engagement and emancipation of marginalised actors; and a shift in agency, towards a new identity for designers and a new sensibility towards issues of power. Based on my practice and reflections I will conclude by presenting three key areas that need to be addressed in order to improve the role of design for next in society.