The Index Project launches the ‘Design to Improve Life’ virtual workshop in partnership with the Design Center of the Philippines, last December 3-4 2020. Facilitated by Education Director Charlotte Høeg Andersen of The Index Project, the workshop introduces the Design to Improve Life Compass as a tool for creative problem-solving.
Participants where made to group themselves into 3 person teams to solve a challenge prompt. WTA Architecture and Design Studio was represented by Senior Manager Arvin Pangilinan, who was grouped with Heidrun Milan of Heidrun Milan Design Studio, and Pia Ocampo of ReMaker Space. Their challenge focused on how to bridge the gap between architects, designers and educators with the local community. the challenge is to inspire better spaces for more local communities in terms of making cities and settlements inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
With using the compass as a framework, the team devised the Design Dialogue Kit ( D2 Kit) to inspire design solutions that responds to the needs of local communities. The kit acts as equipment for designers to spark continuous dialouge with the community thoughout the design process.
The D2 Kit is comprised of:
- The D2 Notebook & Question Cards (also Open Source content that will be downloadable through the D2 website)
- Some of the materials & tools you’ll need for the community engagement exercises found in the Notebook: ex., ribbon, giant pieces of paper, markers, blocks
- The D2 backpack that gets you in the ”immersive traveler” frame of mind
- D2 tsinelas! to make sure you walk in the shoes of your community.
The Design Dialouge kit shall be used as an immersive tool that explores, investigates and analyses situations between the designer and the community that can bring about creative and innovative solutions.