Implementation of design tools for relational thinking in design for social innovation - a pluralistic perspective from Weitou Village’s oyster reef restoration project

Abstract

When faced with an increasingly complex environmental crisis, the topic of an ontological transition from the current dualistic-driven ontology to a relational one is gaining importance in multidisciplinary discussions. Modern design has been considered as an essential part of the responsibility for the current crisis, and transformation is imminent (Fry, T., 2019; Fry, T., & Tlostanova, M., 2020). Moreover, a key research direction is emerging: to open up design ontology discussions by incorporating pluralistic cultural perspectives. Service design has grown dramatically in China in recent years (ArtTech innozone&CSDC,2020). On one hand, its development has included many Western-centered design paradigms and methods to establish disciplinary standards. On the other hand, Chinese service designers have gradually begun to reflect on their cultural roots and the complexities of the domestic situation, ultimately developing localized solutions. In 2022, Upbeing and Chinese Service Design Community (CSDC) organized a summer school in Quanzhou, Fujian Province with four tailor-made themes according to the local context. And they hope to use those themes to explore localized transformation and adaptive design development to achieve social innovation amidst China’s diverse geography.