4. By

When design is BY communities (i.e., the users or groups who stand to benefit from change or innovation) the process, end-to-end, is led from within. This is where the values of ABCD are fundamental. Skills, assets, knowledge and connections that already exist within the community are leveraged, shared and strengthened. Decisions about the shape, function and trade-offs of the output are made by those that use it. The chances of sustainability are enhanced because the necessary skills, resources and energy already exist within the community in which it is used.


The Mutual Aid response to Covid-19 is a recent example of design BY communities. Leveraging existing relationships, resources, energy and assets, we’ve seen communities band together over the past year to deliver support, develop new initiatives and achieve more than many thought possible. This activity was not dependent on external structures, processes or support. Instead, it was driven from within communities, allowing it to develop swiftly, adapt to emerging needs, and strengthen communities in the process. If you want to find out more about the community response to Covid, take a look at our Active Neighbours Field Guide.

Designers can put ethics front and centre in their practice by intentionally acting in ways that share power, knowledge and skills. Nurturing relationships can help expand design BY communities, where knowledge, power, ideas and resources flow.


These three questions sit at the heart of ABCD, so ask yourself before starting a new project:

  1. What is it that communities can best do? (Design BY)
  2. What do communities need help with? (Design WITH)
  3. What do communities need outside agencies to do for them? (Design FOR)


Doing so will help you avoid defaulting to designing TO or FOR. It’s always better to start by understanding what assets already exist, and what communities can do for themselves.


As we slowly unfurl from the pandemic, we face a fork in the road: to return to ‘normal’ or build a new, kinder, more equitable normal. Design can, and must, play a central role in driving this change.

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Shift Design is a British charity that tackles social problems through the power of design thinking. Together with partners, Shift helps transform systems, services and organisations.


This article was first released by the Readymag editorial team as a part of the Ethical Design Issue series on Medium. Now it comes in the form of a flexible design template. Take it to create your next digital publication, or explore the vast collection of Readymag templates.


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