Chloe Sterland
RMIT University, Faculty of Industrial Design
Juliette Anich
RMIT University, Faculty of Industrial Design
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Published in: ServDes.2020 Tensions, Paradoxes and Plurality Conference Proceedings, 2-5th February 2021, Melbourne, Australia
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 173:18, p. 147-160
Published: 2020-12-22
ISBN: 978-91-7929-779-4
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
This study shows the role Service Design can play in addressing social issues, explored through the topic of women and fear in public space. Due to the fear of sexual violence reinforced by society, women are constantly monitoring their movement within cities. This research aims to develop a response to this issue without inflating this fear or placing responsibility on women.
Co-design and Service Design tools were used to offer balance to the research and to neutralise tensions within the topic area. This led to an educational campaign that establishes the responsibility that allies have in reducing fear in public space, on a general public level, and also on a professional level, specifically those involved in designing public space.
The research and project’s outcomes demonstrate how Service Design tools could be used in other disciplines (beyond traditional design studios) to develop empathy as well as addressing and solving social issues.
