Implementing and Scaling the Global Model

Implementing the Global Model is a crucial next step to democratizing and scaling design. Led by Michèle Morris, Associate Director UC San Diego Design Lab, the DD team presented a Regional Democratizing Design Ecosystem that includes a UC San Diego Design Lab Regional Advancement Lab prototype at the World Design Policy Conference 2024 to share key elements to explore the implementation of the Global Model in government. DD and UC San Diego Design Lab leaders have been socializing the Regional Design Ecosystem and Regional Advancement Lab at events and meetings in our region resulting in iterations to ensure relevance and scalability.

Implementación y Escalamiento del Modelo Global

La implementación del Modelo Global representa un paso esencial para democratizar y escalar el diseño. Durante la Conferencia Mundial de Políticas Públicas de Diseño 2024, el equipo de Democratizing Design (DD), liderado por Michèle Morris, presentó el Ecosistema Regional de Democratización del Diseño y un prototipo del Laboratorio Regional de Desarrollo de UC San Diego Design Lab. Desde entonces, estos modelos se han compartido en diversos foros y reuniones en la región, generando iteraciones que refuerzan su relevancia y escalabilidad.

Democratizing Design Research Recommendations

As a designated World Design Capital 2024 Impact Project, the DD team conducted in-depth research generating key insights and feedback suggesting to evolve how to embed design in a city/government. The previous vision relied on one person - Chief Design Officer - to democratizing and scale design in the city. DD research recommends building on this vision and activating a design ecosystem of partnerships.

Previous Vision: Chief Design Officer

  • Chief Design Officer hired by each city

  • Coordinate with each city beyond World Design Capital designation, unknown who/how

Updated Vision: Partnership

  • Chief Design Officer

  • Regional design representation

  • Consistent community input

  • Clear access to expert designers

  • Operational capacity 

  • Place to incubate projects

  • A regional design portfolio

What Do Cities Need to Scale Design?

Cities/local governments need minimal organizational friction, operational demand and fiscal output. Below are the needed elements in detail: Structure, Operations, Impact, Stakeholder / Community Engagement, Regional Representation, Expertise & Education, and Funding.

  • Mission, Roadmap, and Mechanism(s) for Design

  • Resources and Processes for Implementation

  • Mechanism(s) for measuring the value and impact of design

  • Mechanism(s) and Partnerships for  Community Driven-Design

  • Mechanism(s) for formal regional engagement, authenticity, and inclusion

  • Portfolio of experts and training across design and innovation disciplines

  • Short-term (proof-of-concept) and long-term

regional advancement lab (RAL)

To meet the needs of cities/governments - minimal friction, operational demand, and fiscal output - the answer to democratizing and scaling design in the San Diego-Tijuana region is the Regional Advancement Lab prototype.

For the past 10 years, Democratizing Design co-founder UC San Diego Design Lab has been building prototypes for the RAL. The RAL is made up of many of the Lab’s superpowers built on years of successful initiatives and public-private partnerships demonstrating a proven track record.

Implementing the Global Model involves activating the Regional Design Ecosystem through the the RAL. The operational elements of the RAL detailed below include: Collective Vision & Voice, Project Incubation, Education & Training, Data-Driven Insights & Impact, Collaborative Design Arenas, Interdisciplinary Research & Community Projects.

  • Thought Leadership Convenings and Forums

    • Design@Large

    • Housing Alliance

    • Educators Alliance

    • Design Forward Alliance

    • Design Lab Global

    • Democratizing Design

    • Concept Prototyping

    • Civic Partnership Projects

    • Co-Curricular Training

    • Executive Education

    • Workforce Development

    • Youth Development

    • Design Certificates & Micro Credentialing           

    • Mixed Reality

    • Qualitative and Quantitative Simulation

    • Predictive and Speculative Forecasting

    • Design Sprints

    • Interactive Design Sessions

    • WDC 2024

    • Large Multi-Sector Grants and Projects

    • Democratizing Design Research

Join us

Join us in our journey to Democratize Design. Learn more, get involved, share your feedback, and be part of a transformative movement that seeks to make design accessible to all. Email info@ddsdtj.com.