Co-creation labs typically involve hands-on activities in which a varied group of stakeholders expresses experiences and explorers potential solutions in a tangible way. For example: as a simple physical model of a public installation, or a neighbourhood map augmented with symbols to represent important problems, facilities or other elements. Collaborating in this way provokes discussion and creates valuable insights into all aspects of the product or service being investigated and (re)designed. Participants become deeply involved and respond in ways that reveal valuable new insights.
Co-discovery is an important aspect of co-creation labs. It involves participants and clients to explore a topic, problem or theme in a moderated discussion and collaborative setting. Participants trigger each other, but also have time to think while others are speaking, which in turn helps them contribute high-quality responses and questions. Unlike in individual interviews, there is room for several of the client’s team to participate. They can be simply observing and learning, or take a more active role. In co-discovery, group activities are always combined with individual assignments that generate data in context. By exploring it with them, step by step, we build an in-depth understanding of the ways in which participants make sense of a topic or theme.
Co-creation labs also facilitate and enable speculation. This is a way to use the current desires, struggles and experiences of the participants as a jumping-off point to look into the future. Storytelling plays a central role in this, and is often supported by specially developed tools and prompts. Future scenarios can involve devices, but can also be largely technology-agnostic. Depending on the focus of a project, co-creation labs can also combine co-discovery and speculation stages.
Some examples of projects we’ve worked on:
Future focused gen z co-creation
How we learned about what drives donations
Bike parking consultation in london
Participatory redesign of public realm
How to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle?
You can also read more about ‘co-creation labs’ in the publication Seeing the city