This document outlines a research project that seeks to understand in-house design practices at The Ohio State University through a participatory, co-created process with OSU design employees. The research will involve multiple cycles of exploratory questions and activities to build understanding, starting broadly and becoming more specific. Interviews with 4 OSU designers provided initial insights. Future cycles aim to compare perspectives, collectively discuss findings, and eventually co-create new opportunities. The goal is a comprehensive understanding that allows for improved internal and external services.

1. Co-created Design Services
Design practice is a major part of any major
company. It is no different at The Ohio State
choice. A series of cycles aimed at gaining this
understanding will be performed in a
A Case Study on Co-Creation:
University (OSU). Design at OSU is of particular participatory fashion with the design
importance because of its direct connection to
university communication and therefore to the
employees at the University. The research will
start broadly with relatively open ended
The Creative Management and
overall University community. Whether that be
inside or outside the University, communication
questions and work towards the more specific
stakeholder-centric reflections. As the research the Scope of Design Services of
and design explains much about the University
overall.
develops the participants themselves will learn
more about there own practices so that In-house Design Groups within
This research project will seeks a formal eventually we will be able to co-create new
understanding of the in-house design practices
at an academic institution. In this instance, The
opportunities as a group. Academic Institution
Ohio State University will be the institution of
Environments.
2009 Q1 Q2 Q3 2011 2012
Research Timeline
Area of Interest Community of Interest Exploratory Pilot Study
Research Map In-house Designers at 6 OSU designs have been
The Ohio State University interviewed. Of those, 4
were asked to participate here.
Technology
Community Profile
Co-created
OSU
Collective
Understanding
Opportunity to
Identify Issues
Synthesis
OSU
Questions
Design
Compare Design
Collaboration
Who What Discuss Co-
001 003 004 005
Create
When Where
Participant Demographics:
* Research map that shows four distinct cycles of research Example:
overtop of driving questions and built on three core principles:
Technology, Design, Collaboration OSU Colleges with Designers 001 Senior-Level Manager 004 Lower Mid-Level Manager
Reports to Reports to
Allied Medical Professions OSU Administration Upper Mid-Level
Research Questions Architecture 003 Upper Mid-Level Manager 005 Non-Manager
Arts Reports to Reports to
01 How do differently sized design groups
within an academic organization
Biological Sciences
Humanities
Senior Management Mid-Level Management
function externally: to other offices and
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
to the public?
Social and Behavioral Sciences
For my exploratory study, I focused on what people say and what people
Business
02 How do differently sized design groups
within an academic organization
Dental Hygiene
Education and Human Ecology
make. Each participants’ session was formatted as follows: 1) an
introduction to my area of interest, 2) an interpretive activity geared at
function internally and manage rating the importance of abstract concepts (called an Importance
Engineering
workflow: project management and Bulls-eye), 3) a second interpretive activity for participants to describe
Environment and Natural Resources
creative management? their daily work activities (called Time on Task), and 4) loosely structured
Food, Agricultural, & Environmental Science
interview questions about each of the interpretive activities. For each
Nursing
03 How can these groups become
collectively aware of their own situations
Pharmacy
activity, participants were given a diagram and a set of sticky-notes.
Sessions took between 35 minutes and an hour.
Social Work
so that they better understand the
* List does not include departments and centers w/ designers
external and internal organization more
completely? Questions 3) Time O
ulls-eye & n Tas
k Ac
ce B tivit
Keywords rtan y&
04 Through a collective understanding of po Qu
Im es
2) tio
ns
their situation, how can differently sized at
ion
4)
rs N
design groups within an academic ve
Design Team
n
ex
Co
tS
organization provide a more Collaboration
1)
te
ps
comprehensive service to themselves
Project Management
and their target audiences?
Creative Management
Design Process
Contact Participatory Inquiry
For more information or to contact, please visit Co-Creation Session
www.allenjcochran.com Action Research
or write allenjcochran@gmail.com.
Thank you for your interest Technology
Format
Copyright 2010 Allen J Cochran