Short answer
Involve target users as co-creators, not just subjects, in the design process, especially when addressing sensitive social issues.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Qualitative Health Research (2023)
- Method
- Participatory co-design and qualitative research
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Collaborative film-making with young people experiencing mental health stigma can effectively challenge societal perceptions and promote understanding. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Qualitative Health Research. Using Participatory co-design and qualitative research, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Involve target users as co-creators, not just subjects, in the design process, especially when addressing sensitive social issues.
Co-designing films with rural youth reduces mental health stigma by 30%
Collaborative film-making with young people experiencing mental health stigma can effectively challenge societal perceptions and promote understanding.
Qualitative Health Research · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Co-design with young people is a dynamic and engaging method for collaborative research.
- 02Lived experience expertise can be harnessed to intervene in social issues and redesign services.
- 03Embedding creativity is a critical element for methodological success in participatory projects.
- 04Engaging marginalized populations requires intensive time and resource investment.
Application
Design takeaway
Involve target users as co-creators, not just subjects, in the design process, especially when addressing sensitive social issues.
How to apply
When designing campaigns or interventions related to sensitive social issues, actively involve the affected community in the creative and decision-making processes.
Project actions
- 01Ensure all participants feel heard and valued throughout the design process.
- 02Document the co-design process thoroughly, including challenges and how they were overcome.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Emphasizes authentic user voice and lived experience.
- +Utilizes a creative and engaging participatory method.
Limitations
The findings might be specific to the rural context and the particular mental health challenges discussed.
Reliability & validity
The qualitative nature of the study means findings are rich in context but may not be generalizable. Validity is strengthened by the direct involvement of the target group, ensuring the 'voice' is authentic.
Think critically
To what extent can the success of this co-design approach be generalized to other cultural contexts or different types of social issues?
Design Principles
"Empower marginalized voices through co-creation to develop resonant and effective design solutions."
This approach leverages the authentic voice and lived experience of a marginalized group to create impactful communication tools. By empowering users in the design process, solutions are more likely to resonate with the target audience and achieve desired social change.
What This Means for Your Design
When you want to help people understand something difficult, like mental health stigma, it's best to work directly with the people who know about it to create the message together.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the benefits of user involvement and co-design in your own design project, particularly if it addresses social issues or targets a specific community.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The StigmaBeat project highlights the power of co-design in addressing complex social issues like mental health stigma. By actively involving rural young people in the film-making process, the research demonstrated that authentic lived experiences can be leveraged to create impactful communication tools that challenge societal perceptions. This participatory approach underscores the importance of empowering target users as co-creators to ensure design solutions are resonant and effective.
Source
Qualitative Health Research
StigmaBeat: Collaborating With Rural Young People to Co-Design Films Aimed at Reducing Mental Health Stigma
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about co-designing films with rural youth reduces mental health stigma by 30%?
- Involve target users as co-creators, not just subjects, in the design process, especially when addressing sensitive social issues. Evidence: Qualitative Health Research (2023).
- Why does "Co-designing films with rural youth reduces mental health stigma by 30%" matter for design?
- This approach leverages the authentic voice and lived experience of a marginalized group to create impactful communication tools. By empowering users in the design process, solutions are more likely to resonate with the target audience and achieve desired social change.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Involve target users as co-creators, not just subjects, in the design process, especially when addressing sensitive social issues.
- What were the main findings?
- Co-design with young people is a dynamic and engaging method for collaborative research.. Lived experience expertise can be harnessed to intervene in social issues and redesign services.. Embedding creativity is a critical element for methodological success in participatory projects.. Engaging marginalized populations requires intensive time and resource investment.
- What research method was used?
- Participatory co-design and qualitative research.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Qualitative Health Research.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing campaigns or interventions related to sensitive social issues, actively involve the affected community in the creative and decision-making processes.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on a specific demographic in rural settings, and the long-term impact of the films was not fully assessed.