What is Co-Design and Why We Should Do It?

Co-design is about working with people, not for them. As Kelly Ann McKercher states in Beyond Sticky Notes (2020), “Co-design is an approach to designing with, not for, people.” As Ayanna Pressley stated, “those closest to the pain should be closest to the power,” our approach intentionally centers the voices of community to uplift and honor their wisdom and expertise. Co-design challenges traditional decision-making structures by engaging those with lived experiences in every step of the design process. The people who experience the challenges firsthand should inform strategy, policies and decisions.

Co-design is rooted in sharing power, and leadership in decision-making. This is not a one-time consultation but an ongoing, relational process that spans the entire project from design, implementation and evaluation.  Too many times, we stop at the focus group, the key informant interview and we don’t make the invitation to keep engaging. By integrating community members as co-designers, especially over time, we ensure that the solutions we develop are not only effective but also inclusive and empowering.