Enhancing communication and activities management

Enhancing community engagement through co-creation - Service design with a folk dance club

Design with Folk was done in collaboration with Matit ja Maijat, a Finnish folk dance club. It was also my Master of Arts thesis project. The initial objective was to explore the operational dynamics of an association-based hobby club while reinforcing community cohesion through collaborative creation of club activities with its members and staff.

METHODOLOGY - My approach centred on bolstering communication channels and fostering a sense of shared ownership and belonging among stakeholders. Key steps included:

1. Stakeholder engagement:

   I initiated meetings with the club's Board and conducted semi-structured interviews with folk dance teachers to capture diverse perspectives.

2. Co-design workshop:

   I facilitated a co-design workshop for club members, including dancers/hobbyists, board members, and dance teachers to gather views and opinions on the club’s activities and to envision the future. This participatory approach ensured diverse insights were integrated into the design process.

3. Qualitative analysis:

   Data collected from Board meetings, interviews, and the workshop formed the foundation for subsequent design iterations, providing valuable insights into the community's needs and desires.

DESIGN DELIVERABLES - The project's design outputs can be categorized into three main areas:

1. Understanding club activities:

• A vision poster: A synthesis of workshop findings and interviews, serving as a visual guide to collective aspirations.

• A set of visualisations: Clear representations of club structure and stakeholder connections to aid understanding and enhancing community engagement.

2. Improving activities management:

• Website Redesign: A revamped digital interface to facilitate seamless communication and transparent information sharing.

• Activity Management Tools: Efficient tools suggestions to the Board for orchestrating club activities and resources effectively.

3. Enhancing community engagement:

• Role clarity and division of responsibilities: Clear task delineation fosters cohesion and ensures timely execution of activities.

• Fluent communication and information sharing: Structured channels and documentation enhance transparency, collaboration and visibility.

CONCLUSIONS - Design with Folk demonstrates the transformative potential of human-centred design in strengthening community engagement and revitalizing grassroots organizations. By tackling problems head-on and encouraging active involvement from all members, the project sparked a culture of proactive participation in the folk dance club and helped the club thrive. Service design proves invaluable in overcoming operational barriers and fostering closer ties within the community, providing valuable insights for future improvements.

The case club was very pleased with the work.

Spring 2020