Whaanga-Schollum, D., Akama, Y. & Hagen, P.
Culture Planning & Design Society
Design and Culture, 11(1), 59-84
2019
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This article critically examines the challenges and complexities involved in the co-design process among Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants, highlighting the impact of colonial legacies and systems of "othering" on design practices.
It argues that popular design methodologies like the Double Diamond or Human-centred Design (HCD), with their Eurocentric origins, can inadvertently perpetuate colonialism by emphasising problem-solving, efficiency, and detachment from local contexts. The authors, identifying as Māori, Pākehā, and Japanese designers, advocate for a shift towards respectful, reciprocal, and relational approaches in social innovation co-design. They emphasise the need for design practices to be sensitive to the multi-layered power dynamics, knowledge systems, and cultural values inherent in collaborative efforts. Through personal, reflexive narratives, the authors underscore their commitment to transparency and accountability, and the importance of building design practices that support Indigenous self-determination and are rooted in local traditions and values. This work contributes to the broader discourse on decolonizing design practices and underscores the significance of respect, reciprocity, and relationships in fostering meaningful and equitable co-design processes.
