Requirements for inclusive experiences in design knowledge transfer

Implementing the European Action Plan for Design-Driven Innovation at a local level requires inclusive praxis for design knowledge transfer. The Design Research Lab (DRLab) at the University of Trento (Italy) has the mission to facilitate the transferring of design knowledge to the local systems in Trentino. DRLab designed and experimented a dissemination framework to be provided where service design is not systematically adopted. According to the design experiences (DXs) developed in collaboration with local design partners not trained in design, more than 150 people of very different age and from different backgrounds were engaged in collaborative design-based activities. By the analysis of the DXs as case studies, and data gathered from the participants, a set of requirements is identified for designing and developing inclusive DXs with the purpose of disseminating basic design knowledge. Finally, the paper provides a discussion on issues about (a) implementing inclusive approaches in multidisciplinary research contexts; (b) promoting Inclusive Design principles to local stakeholders; (c) orienting the service design process through a “design for inclusion” approach.