SYSTEMS-ORIENTED DESIGN AND DEMOCRACY

Abstract

This paper introduces a discussion about systems-oriented design (SOD) as a method to design for democracy. The context for the study is master-level studio-based SOD education. We have analysed student projects produced at three SOD courses, at the Oslo School Architecture- and Design (AHO), one course a year from 2016 -18. The main theme for all three courses was Design for Democracy, with three subcategories: 1. participative democracy within a municipality, 2. workplace democracy, 3. representative democracy and how to engage young people to vote. This analysis led to the description of the application of eight pre-existing tools and techniques in the students’ democratic design projects. These are rich design space, giga mapping, ZIP analysis, systemic relations, systemic evaluation, leverage point analysis, expert networks, strategy- or synergy mapping. These techniques are in extension described and discussed up against theory on democracy to converse about design as a praxis to understand, develop, maintain, and design for democracy.