Defining the Social Issue You Want to Address With Social Design
The most important and overlooked step in solving social problems is the very first: defining the problem. Here is a guide detailing important considerations when defining social problems.
Using Design to Solve Social Problems
Social Design is an emerging field sitting at the intersection of visual communication, design-thinking, and social-policymaking. It allows communities to tell their stories of societal injustice and empowers artists to express these stories. It allows designers to craft these stories from the fundamental root problems that are understood and solution-oriented. It designs the framework for social-policymakers to ideate and negotiate solutions.
This is a highly complex field that strives to use art to tell the stories that matter. It works with 3rd sector organizations to tell the stories of the societal problems these organizations hope to solve. It uses art to generate creative ways to fundraise and raise awareness for change. The most important step in the social design process is the very first step: defining the problem.
Organizations cannot be everything at once. They cannot change every single problem. 3rd sector organizations must define a niche social problem and work efficiently to ideate solutions. So how do you define a niche to address?
Defining Your Niche
Choose a Social Issue You Are Passionate About
This seems obvious, but a big issue that social policymaking faces is leadership by those working for the wrong reasons. The essence of social design is to build bridges of understanding within social strife to empower communities to work together. Where there is no passion, there is no voice. Choose an issue you are truly passionate about and seek a deep understanding. Choose an issue that impacts you personally, if possible.
Understand the Lived Experience of the Problem
This involves active listening to the stories of those affected by the problem. It involves a deep introspection if it is your lived experience. Seek to understand the complexities and moving parts of the issue. Who are the stakeholders? Who is affected? Where is this happening? These are all questions you should seek to understand. Questions are more important than answers. Conduct interviews, focus groups, attend listening sessions, town halls, and other community meetings. Consult with local activists or nonprofits. When this is an issue you’re passionate about, this becomes second-nature. When leaders are not truly passionate about the issue, they often fail to take these considerations into account, leading to a poorly defined problem.
Questions to Ask
What are the specific challenges you face?
How does this problem affect you on a daily basis? What about long-term?
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
What solutions have you tried that have been unsuccessful in the past?
What kind of support do you need?
