HELEN BENDER

A designer led by curiosity and empathy.

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06PROJECT

OUR OLD TOWN: CO-CREATION WITH RESIDENTS 


TEAMHelen Bender, Kaisa Uik, Anette Jaaniso, Mariann Hendrikson, Karolin Eks, Risto Tepper
MENTOR
Eva Liisa Kubinyi

Estonian Academy of Arts x Vanalinna Selts
2023
CO-DESIGN WORKSHOP
BRIEF

Our aim was to engage with the community, foster inclusive design practices, and gain insights into the pivotal role of designers in community development. Our initial task involved initiating a process to establish a shared set of objectives within the Old Town Society community. We were instructed to research community and co-design and the course was to conclude with a co-creation workshop and a written report for the society to share a synthesis of the insights and discussions that emerged during our co-creation workshop.





How can a designer help a community?
Why is the Old Town Society important and what can they do for their community?





RESEARCH

During the research phase, we conducted interviews with a total of 24 members of the Old Town Society. Of these, 21 interviews were conducted over the phone, while three were held in person. All contacts were established with the explicit consent of the Old Town Society Board. These semi-structured interviews were aimed at exploring and mapping the values held by the members of the Old Town Society. The phone interviews typically lasted between 5 to 10 minutes, while the face-to-face interviews varied in length. Importantly, all interviewees willingly participated and responded to the questions posed. Drawing upon the insights gleaned from these interviews, as detailed in, we crafted a co-creation workshop as a pivotal component of our research process.

We also read about existing communities, how to cultivate them and especially how can a designer help the community without pushing on their ideas as an outsider.









CO-CREATION WORKSHOP

The objective of the workshop was to collaboratively define the values, objectives, and vision of the Old Town Society for the future. Over the course of this workshop, members of the Old Town Society engaged in various exercises and took part in discussions designed to deepen their understanding of the diverse roles within the community and to envision the future of the Old Town Society through the lens of shared values. A total of 8 Old Town Society members participated in this three-day workshop, spanning several hours each day. The workshop was structured into two distinct blocks of exercises. The first block delved into the essence of the Old Town Society, exploring its significance, the importance of community, and strategies for nurturing and advancing it. It encouraged participants to reflect on the meaning of the Old Town Society and how a sense of community could be cultivated and sustained. The second block of exercises shifted focus towards the composition of the Old Town Society, delineating the various roles within the community and exploring how members, in their respective roles, could collaboratively contribute to the well-being of the community. It sought to illuminate how individuals in different positions perceive, support, and engage with one another within the community. Overall, the workshop served as a platform for collective introspection, facilitating the co-creation of a shared vision and values for the Old Town Society's future.








The workshop consisted of several exercises aimed at exploring and understanding the Old Town Society and its members better: 

1. Defining the Old Town Society: Participants individually wrote down their thoughts on what the Old Town Society meant to them, highlighting different aspects of its importance. 

2. Grouping Keywords: In groups of four or five, participants categorized keywords related to themes such as community, well-being, information, and free communication. They also had the opportunity to introduce their own theme blocks. 

3. Keyword Voting: Each group member selected the most important keywords from their group's categorized list, and the group collectively decided which keywords to prioritize. 

4. Implementing Keywords: Participants discussed and identified steps and activities to implement the selected keywords in the club's activities. They also reviewed the steps and activities already undertaken. 

5. Structural Mapping: The exercises aimed to understand the different roles and groups within the Old Town Society and stimulate communication and collaboration among them. This involved:   
a. Benches Exercise: Participants brainstormed different groups within the club and collectively categorized them, creating a visual representation of the club's structure using benches.   
b. Persona Creation: Participants developed four personas representing various club roles: a new member, an event participant, an organizer, and a board member. This exercise allowed for a detailed understanding of each role and its involvement in club activities.   
c. Role Play: Participants were assigned personas and acted out scenarios to gain empathy and identify potential blind spots within the club's operations. These exercises aimed to enhance awareness, communication, and collaboration among Old Town Society members, ultimately promoting a stronger and more connected community.





My role involved conducting a persona exercise to encourage society members to consider the diverse range of individuals within their community and explore how to better support their unique needs and preferences.





CONCLUSION

The objective of the workshop was to collaboratively define the values, objectives, and vision of the Old Town Society for the future. Over the course of this workshop, members of the Old Town Society engaged in vario

Upon concluding the workshop, we sought feedback from the participants regarding their impressions of the working process and the key takeaways from their experience. Their responses were both illuminating and encouraging. Participants overwhelmingly found this collaborative endeavor to be refreshing and highly motivating, invigorating their commitment to ongoing involvement. Notably, the workshop provided an enjoyable and engaging space for some members who might not typically engage actively within the community. This inclusivity was perceived as a significant benefit, expanding the reach of our community engagement efforts. The concluding discussion also sparked a wealth of ideas for future initiatives. 

Among the topics that emerged were strategies for connecting with Old Town residents who have yet to become part of the Old Town community and determining their perspectives and desires. The brainstorming session yielded a multitude of creative possibilities, ranging from traditional newspaper advertising to the expansion of our presence on social media platforms, particularly on Facebook. 

These discussions left us with a wealth of ideas to explore further, demonstrating the workshop's effectiveness in stimulating both motivation and innovation among our Old Town Society members. We finished the course by writing a 25-page report and summary of the workshop that the society could share it with other members, who weren’t able to participate.

Read the full report here.


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