The CCI has created a report on how we as a city can achieve citizen power within Glasgow, its already happening.
Citizen Power in Glasgow
Date
30 June 2022
My Role
Art Director, Designer
Client
Project Type
Editorial Design
Putting people at the heart of decision-making
The problem
This initiative requires comprehensive endorsement across the council, aiming to substantially innovate and reshape the prevailing mindset. Its primary objective is to restore agency to neighbourhoods, empowering the citizens of Glasgow to take charge of determining the direction and initiatives within their respective areas.
What I did
- Collaborated extensively with user researchers, community outreach officers, and data scientists to develop a cohesive, data-driven approach. Placing people at the forefront of decision-making emerged as a pivotal asset crucial for fostering a progressive council.
- Led the report’s design adhering to the stringent guidelines set by the Centre for Civic Innovation. This involved art direction and comprehensive design implementation, resulting in a meticulously crafted 100-page report delineating the innovative approach towards addressing neighbourhood issues at a local scale.
- Managed the entire process, from overseeing the printing production to efficiently orchestrating the dissemination of the report. Distribution was tactically handled, ensuring targeted circulation among councillors and key stakeholders vested with the authority to steer funding toward this progressive direction.
The impact
- The impact assessment of this report underscores the pressing need for a paradigm shift in the council’s operational framework. By showcasing meticulously researched, data-driven insights, this document advocates for a design-led approach as the definitive path forward.
- Successfully securing funding for disseminating the CCI’s proof of concept marks a pivotal step. This initiative aims to substantiate the efficacy of this innovative methodology, providing compelling evidence for future funding proposals.
- This milestone facilitated the engagement of 23 wards, each embracing a design-led approach at scale. While implementing design in every ward presents a logistical challenge, the initiative prioritizes equipping neighbourhood community hubs with the requisite design skills. This strategy aims to empower these hubs to facilitate their own discussions effectively and swiftly adopt a design-centric approach.
Lessons learned
- Continuous challenge to prevailing ideologies is imperative. Avoid presuming a comprehensive understanding before entering a discussion. Embrace a critical approach by questioning every element, seeking evidence-based rationale for all decisions made.
My Approach - Design-Led Problem Solving
Discover
Understanding the ask, building an knowledge library around what we already know.
Define
Doing research and identify opportunities.
Ideate and Test
Develop and design new ideas to solutions.
Develop and Deliver
Share the outcomes and results of the new outcome.