DESIGN ACTIVISM IN EMERGENCY SERVICES: ENGAGING ACTORS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Year 2023, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 5 - 22, 09.07.2024

Hande Yıldız Çekindir , Can Güvenir

Abstract

This research explores the symbiotic relationship among design activism, actor-network theory (ANT), and design thinking in shaping socio-technical systems. Design activism, driven by political motivations for social, environmental, and economic change through intentional design interventions, collaborates with governments and organizations in public sector innovation. Operating within this context, design activism utilizes design thinking, imagination, and practice to generate positive transformations. The study delves into the application of design activism in emergency services, emphasizing collaboration with various actors. A case study in İzmir, where volunteer designers supported earthquake-affected citizens in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, illustrates the practical integration of design thinking within design activism. The volunteer designers improved processes, coordinated stakeholders, and created user-friendly interfaces, showcasing the transformative potential of design activism in emergencies. The research highlights the significance of a socio-technical approach, incorporating design thinking's iterative and collective processes to accommodate both human and non-human actors. Emphasizing collaboration and continuous engagement within networks, the study aligns with ANT's perspective on success in design activism. The findings underscore the potential for design activism to enhance emergency services through collaborative efforts and transformative design methodologies, offering a comprehensive approach to understanding and shaping socio-technical systems for positive societal impact.

Keywords

Design Activism, Actor-Network Theory (ANT), Design Thinking, Emergency Services, Volunteer Design Community

Supporting Institution

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality

Thanks

The authors thank the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality for being a partner in the process and allowing the data to be used in this research, and the volunteer designers who were the main actants of the study.

ACİL DURUM HİZMETLERİNDE TASARIM AKTİVİZMİ: SOSYAL DEĞİŞİM İÇİN AKTÖRLERİN KATILIMI

Abstract

Bu araştırma, sosyo-teknik sistemleri şekillendirmede tasarım aktivizmi, aktör-ağ teorisi (ANT) ve tasarım odaklı düşünme arasındaki simbiyotik ilişkiyi araştırmaktadır. Kasıtlı tasarım müdahaleleri yoluyla sosyal, çevresel ve ekonomik değişim için siyasi motivasyonlarla hareket eden tasarım aktivizmi, kamu sektörü inovasyonunda hükümetler ve kuruluşlarla işbirliği yapmaktadır. Bu bağlamda faaliyet gösteren tasarım aktivizmi, olumlu dönüşümler yaratmak için tasarım odaklı düşünmeyi, hayal gücünü ve pratiğini kullanır. Çalışma, çeşitli aktörlerle işbirliğini vurgulayarak tasarım aktivizminin acil servislerdeki uygulamalarını incelemektedir. Gönüllü tasarımcıların Kahramanmaraş'ta depremden etkilenen vatandaşlara destek verdiği İzmir'deki bir vaka çalışması, tasarım odaklı düşünmenin tasarım aktivizmine pratik entegrasyonunu göstermektedir. Gönüllü tasarımcılar süreçleri iyileştirmiş, paydaşları koordine etmiş ve kullanıcı dostu arayüzler oluşturarak acil durumlarda tasarım aktivizminin dönüştürücü potansiyelini ortaya koymuşlardır. Araştırma hem insan hem de insan olmayan aktörleri barındırmak için tasarım odaklı düşünmenin yinelemeli ve kolektif süreçlerini içeren sosyo-teknik bir yaklaşımın önemini vurgulamaktadır. Ağlar içinde iş birliğini ve sürekli katılımı vurgulayan çalışma, ANT'nin tasarım aktivizminde başarı perspektifiyle uyumludur. Bulgular, tasarım aktivizminin iş birliğine dayalı çabalar ve dönüştürücü tasarım metodolojileri aracılığıyla acil durum hizmetlerini geliştirme potansiyelinin altını çizmekte ve olumlu toplumsal etki için sosyo-teknik sistemleri anlamaya ve şekillendirmeye yönelik kapsamlı bir yaklaşım sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Tasarım Aktivizmi, Aktör-Ağ Teorisi (ANT), Tasarım Odaklı Düşünme, Acil Durum Hizmetleri, Gönüllü Tasarım Topluluğu

Supporting Institution

İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi

Thanks

Yazarlar, sürece ortak olduğu ve verilerin bu araştırmada kullanılmasına izin verdiği için İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi'ne ve çalışmanın ana aktörleri olan gönüllü tasarımcılara teşekkür eder.

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