This fall, the Active Inclusive Design (AID) research project will start. The project focuses on strengthening designers’ capacity for inclusive design.
By designing products and services inclusively, designers can make an important contribution to a more inclusive society where everyone can participate in their own way.
The AID project aims to support designers in this by collecting and developing tools, processes and handles. In doing so, AID also investigates the systemic aspects of inclusive design, such as how to bring inclusiveness into the conversation with clients. The designers within AID will work on this through action research in their own professional practice and by sharing their experiences with researchers, teachers, and co-designers in a ‘learning community’.
Several ESC partners will work together in AID over the next two years: lectorate Co-design of HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht as leader, with lectorate Research Capacity (also HU), creative agency theRevolution and TUDelft’s Faculty of Industrial Design. InHolland’s lectorate Societal Impact Design is also involved. In addition, the lectorate Inclusive Digital Design & Engineering of Hogeschool Arnhem Nijmegen is actively involved and no fewer than nine SME design agencies: Afdeling Buitengewone Zaken (A/BZ), theRevolution, Design Innovation Group, Greenberry, Ideate, Keen Public, Muzus, Netrex Internet Solutions (Leer Zelf Online) and Vrienden van verandering. The project was made possible thanks to RAAK SME funding from regieorgaan SIA.