Tackling local problems by embedding design in local administrative offices: A case study of the ‘Design Consultant’ program

Abstract

The potential of design-led innovation in the public sector has gained growing interest in the design fields over the recent years. This paper presents a case study of a program called ‘Design Consultant’ initiated by a city-funded design organization to foster collaboration among designers and civil servants to tackle local problems in Seoul. A model of synergic collaboration between local sub-district offices and young designers, characterized by the designers’ immersion into the collaborating sub-district offices for six months is examined. Potentials and challenges of the collaboration are discussed based on the findings from interviews with participants of the program, and literature review.