Design is no longer the domain of experts alone—it's a civic tool for shaping futures. Democratizing Design is a humanity-centered, system-aware framework that invites all to co-create impactful solutions through shared decision-making and localized implementation.

This model is built from the bottom up, prioritizing community voices while leveraging aspiring and professional design expertise.

To activate the model, five essential values are supported by additional inclusive dimensions:

• Context: Consider the ecosystem, history, and cultural dynamics.

• Belonging: Foster accessibility, inclusion and opportunities where all feel seen and valued.

• Empathy: Understand deeply, without judgment.

• Empowerment: Shift power. Enable agency, not dependency. Seek permission, not assumption.

• Wonder: Stay curious and open to what could be.

Policy + Practice = Systemic Impact. Design must influence both daily life and long-term structures. We embed design in:

• Decision-making (strategy, services, tools)

• Policy-making (rules, governance, systemic structures)

When co-created with communities, Policy becomes a vehicle for belonging—ensuring more just, inclusive outcomes.

Each with Their Own Systems, Culture & Values to engage meaningfully. Design is embedded in four interconnected sectors, each needing buy-in and clear value alignment:

• Civic: For inclusive policy-making and Community trust-building through transparent engagement.

• Business: For innovation, differentiation, and human-centered strategy.

• Education: To develop learners and educators who are critical thinkers, empathetic, and systems-aware.

• Design Sector: Uplifting the profession by expanding its influence, relevance, and appreciation, and advocacy of design across sectors and the community.

To Implement the model and bring it to life, we support activating entry points through:

• Engagement Guides: For each sector and their community (civic, business, education, design)

• Training Programs: To build capacity

• Interactive Platforms: For feedback and co-design

• Open-source Visual Toolkits: For shared use

The model is flexible to enable replicability and scalability.

Aware → Align → Adopt → Advocate

We increase value of design by guiding individuals and institutions through:

• Aware: Recognize design as a tool for systems change

• Align: Build shared language and common goals

• Adopt: Apply tools, methods, and co-design practices

• Advocate: Lead with stories, evidence, and peer-to-peer influence thereby developing champions

• Measurement is key to legitimacy and sustainability.

• Continuous measurement, education, and engagement are critical to demonstrate the value of design to improve quality of life.

• Continuous feedback loops refine and evolve the model.

Rich in history, shaped by people, backed by evidence.

The Democratizing Design model is rooted in lived experience, built on history, research, deep listening and shaped through collaboration across diverse sectors. It honors our region’s design legacy, incorporates diverse voices, and is guided by evidence and co-design. Our process was designed to be as inclusive and rigorous, drawing on four foundational inputs: historical context, ecosystem awareness, evidence-based research, and co-design.

The model reflects and honors the past decade of regional and global design work. It reflects the collective effort and spirit of collaboration that achieved the World Design Capital title—a milestone effort led by a transition team committed to innovation and inclusion.

This foundation—rich in history, shaped by people, backed by evidence, and responsive to ecosystems—is what makes the Democratizing Design model not only globally relevant but deeply human.