Stop designing WITH your users! There is a better way. / Sloan Leo Cowan / Ep. #217

There's a problem with the current design process that often goes unnoticed...

A problem that can lead to less-than-ideal outcomes or, even worse, harm certain communities.

To understand this, we must acknowledge our huge responsibility as design professionals. We're often the only ones advocating for our users' needs, the voice of those who aren't in the room.

It's a privilege we shouldn't take lightly.

We make decisions, and judgment calls for the people we're designing for. Of course, we do our best with the best intentions, but we always will fall short.

Why? Because we aren't the users. We don't live their lives or experience their struggles.

Sure, let there be no doubt: having someone advocate for users is a good start, but it's not enough.

We can do better; we must do better.

Our guest, ​Sloan Leo Cowan​, helps us see what "better" looks like.

The key is to move away from "designing for" or even "designing with" users and move towards "designing by" them. It means giving up control and power. Sound impossible?

Sloan Leo shares practical examples of how they've achieved this in their work.

This episode will show you a way forward if you care about creating more inclusive and equitable work.

Stop designing WITH your users! There is a better way.

As you'll hear, Sloan Leo's perspective on design challenges the status quo. We really need this to push the boundaries of design and ensure it stays relevant.

Keep making a positive impact!

Take care,

~ Marc

--- [ 1. GUIDE ] ---

00:00 Welcome to Episode 217

04:00 Sloan's social sector journey

08:15 Defining Community?

10:15 Service design "habits" (issues)

12:45 Neutrality in Interpretation

15:15 Facilitator vs. Interpreter Roles

18:45 Facilitating towards beliefs

19:30 Power Dynamics in Facilitation

21:15 Binary thinking in service design

26:45 Issue: Persona Development & Gender

31:45 Origins of Community Design Issues

36:00 How to approach the large scale

38:15 Open source approach

40:30 The challenges for service designers

41:45 Benefits for Communities and Designers

43:45 Advice for Aspiring Designers

47:15 Recommended Resources

51:45 Proudest Achievements

54:15 Keys to Success

56:45 Additional Resources

57:30 Questions for Reflection

--- [ 2. LINKS ] ---

Pronouns they/he

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sloanleo
• Website - floxstudio.com or sloanleo.com

--- [ 3. CIRCLE ] ---

Join our private community for in-house service design professionals.

⁠https://servicedesignshow.com/circle