Mapping the added value of design thinking in social entrepreneurship
Year: 2012
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Poul Kyvsgaard Hansen, Professor John Rasmussen, Assoc. Prof. Kaj A. Jřrgensen, Assoc. Prof. Christian Tollestrup
Author: Fladvad Nielsen, Brita; Asheim, Jonas
Series: NordDESIGN
Institution: 1: Aalborg University, Denmark; 2: Design Society, United Kingdom
ISBN: 978-87-91831-51-5
Abstract
Social designers and social entrepreneurs aim at improving life quality locally and globally. As research on social entrepreneurship is intensified in the Nordic countries, it is important also for designers to understand what their role is and can be compared to the social entrepreneur; as well as for social entrepreneurs to understand the value of design thinking in their efforts. This article extracts an updated portrait of the social designer based on interviews, before it compares it with the image of the social designer. A central finding is that social design adds a sustainable, less resource demanding orientation to the equation. Finally it reflects upon how this companionship could be improved.
Keywords: social design, social entrepreneurship, design thinking