I’ve architected, negotiated, led a lot of co-creation work. True co-creation. With stakeholders from diverse backgrounds (regionally, economically, politically, culturally) + some that hate each other.
What I've learned:
That’s wishful thinking—and usually comes from a place of privileged myopia.
That’s a consultation. One that is at best poorly planned, and at worst highly insulting.
That's a waste of everyone’s time—and how we abet mediocrity + sustain a toxic status quo.
Those w/ privilege must first do the damn work to figure out what’s broken. Those w/ lived experience then get to say what should be done about it.
(Aside: I was raised Buddhist + am deeply insulted by the corporate design appropriation of this concept + its use to justify harmful, neocolonial, bullshit practices)
It's damn tough. But we're grappling with power, upheaval, and renewal. If it's not hard and uncomfortable, it's probably not worth doing.
Power likes to hold on to power. Real structural solutions will challenge that. So do as much as you can to negotiate resources / signoffs in advance.
Because systems that enable and sustain injustice, inequality, oppression were intentionally designed. Futures that honour and protect justice, equity, liberation can also be designed.
But it requires all of us.
But we can't if all we get are co-opted processes + no real resources behind the emergent visions.
Do better.
I still however stand by + wish to underline my other point: fuck beginner's mindset. And fuck all the harmful, ahistorical, socialgoodwashing practices of Big Design.