Design Council invites Designers to improve Citizen Participation

The Design Council and the Institute for Public Policy Research are challenging designers to shape those key moments when the state engages with us not just as subjects, service users or consumers, but as citizens. The initiative is part of "Touching the State", a project intended to trigger debate about what design can do to improve the encounters that define the way people relate to the state.

It is a competition that is laudably about promoting user-centred design. The project kicks off with user research into three encounters: voting in European elections, doing jury service and taking part in the new UK citizenship ceremony. The idea is to pinpoint the key opportunities for design to build a sense of citizenship out those experiences.

The organisers are looking for responses from designers to demonstrate the potential of design in these areas - sketches, concepts or visuals. You are also encouraged to look at other touch points – tax returns, customs and immigration, registering a birth or marriage, the whole experience or just one part of it.

The most engaging responses will appear in a publication targeted at a policy audience, and they'll go on show during the London Design Festival.

Monday, 19 July is the deadline for submissions. The challenge is open to designers, consultancies, in-house design departments and design students.

On 22nd June, there will also be an informal evening event at the Design Council to show user research to date and to discuss findings.

To register interest in the design challenge and/or attending the event, email touchingthestate@designcouncil.org.uk.

Further information on the project and how to make your submissions can be found on the website below.

Associated Link: Further details

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