The Power of Design to Drive Positive Social Change

How can we design to foster growth and positive impact for individuals, businesses, and the world?

Published in

Celestine’s Design Journal

8 min readAug 22, 2023

When we mention "social change," various images and concepts come to mind. Perhaps it conjures thoughts of careers solely devoted to aiding others, like missionaries or humanitarian workers. But what does social change truly signify? What does it mean to you?

According to the University of Minnesota, social change refers to the transformation of culture, behavior, social institutions, and social structure over time.

My journey of understanding the essence of social change was gradually shaped by my childhood experiences. My parents would take me to orphanages and nursing homes where I had friends, but their world remained somewhat enigmatic. In my perspective as a child, the world was inherently just, benevolent, and sustainable. My parents believed in paying kindness forward, and as I grew, I began to grasp the concept of my privilege and its responsibilities. The realization prompted me to question more. The stark reality of insufficient resources for everyone was complicated for me to fathom, and it led me to question why disparities persisted in a world that I believed should offer enough for all.

Fast forward to my 2nd year (sophomore year), I found myself volunteering as a teacher at a shelter home. Unfortunately, the conditions were harsh, and I was advised against providing the hopeful support I yearned to offer. Being a child myself, this situation made it hard for me to continue volunteering directly. This led to facing a personal crisis, grappling with the question of how to align my ambitions and desire to help in a truly fulfilling way. Looking back on these moments, I'm grateful that I discovered my answer in UX design. (Curious about my journey? Read this article next)

Each Uxer's journey of falling in love with UX is unique, but our shared passion for it unites us in a powerful way– the thrill of enhancing lives through technology. As designers, we wield UX (our magic mouse!) as a bridge, connecting users with technology and resources and influencing positive and negative outcomes. So how can we contribute to positive social change through design?

User-Centric Approaches to Address Social Challenges

In the design world, the combination of social change and User Experience (UX) is a potent force. UX extends beyond aesthetics and functionality—it holds the power to drive significant positive shifts in society. From minimizing environmental impact and advancing SDG goals to catering to marginalized communities, products can wield influence that resonates far beyond their immediate use. So, I believe that each product possesses the potential to convey a message of sustainability and inclusivity, becoming an advocate for the greater good.

The Oppia Foundation is dedicated to SDG Goal 4: Quality Education. By providing accessible and effective education, they combat global educational inequality. Their focus is empowering all students to develop crucial skills, with a particular emphasis on dismantling the systematic barriers that hinder underprivileged students in low-resource environments. The active involvement of over 100 volunteers on a global scale drives Oppia's initiatives.

(In this inspiring context, I proudly hold the role of Designer Manager for the Contributor Dashboard team. Our dedicated designers are driven by the mission to enable users to contribute to Oppia's cause. I feel amazed by my team every day. ☺️)

So, what are SDG goals?

SDG stands for Sustainable Development Goals, a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations in 2015 to address urgent social, economic, and environmental challenges. With the ultimate aim of creating a better and more sustainable future for all.

Just like Oppia is dedicated to SDG Goal 4 by focusing on quality education, UX designers and companies across various sectors can use the SDGs to guide their design and business strategies.

For instance, companies specializing in data privacy can align with SDG Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, which encompasses ensuring public access to information and protecting individuals' privacy rights.

As for banking companies, they can align with various SDG goals depending on their business strategies — SDG Goal 1: No Poverty, SDG Goal 5: Gender Equality, SDG Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG Goal 10: Reduced Inequality, and SDG Goal 13: Climate Action. Such alignment benefits the broader community and helps the banks position themselves as socially responsible and forward-thinking entities.

By intentionally integrating the SDG framework into our design processes while ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for diverse users and promoting environmental sustainability, we, UX designers, and businesses can craft solutions beyond mere user experience.

And how do we design for marginalized communities?

Marginalization is a dynamic process where individuals are pushed to the edges of the prevailing social group, often based on aspects like gender, race, language, citizenship, socioeconomic status, disability, and more, and its impact can vary depending on cultural, societal, and historical contexts. It's also important to note that both marginalization and privilege are context-dependent and interconnected.

My thesis focused on designing for marginalized communities and delving into social design principles. Specifically, my work aimed to reduce the effects of health misinformation that women dealing with endocrine conditions often encounter when seeking information online. These women were considered marginalized communities because they faced challenges and inequalities in accessing accurate health information due to their specific health conditions and the cultural, social, and economic factors that often impact their ability to access reliable resources. Considering access to the internet, these women could be seen as having privilege. This illustrates how both marginalization and privilege are intricately linked to specific contexts.

When we contemplate marginalized communities, biases often cloud our perception, leading us to believe that certain social groups or individuals don't fall into these categories. However, it's crucial to understand that these distinctions are nuanced and shaped by context.

A simple example: as an international student, someone might question your origin due to your accent or appearance, asking if you plan to remain here permanently, thus making you feel anxious about the future or how you represent your community. Yet, your socioeconomic status might position you in a privileged class, enabling you to study abroad. This highlights how perceptions can vary significantly based on circumstances.

Designing for marginalized communities necessitates a thorough understanding of the users' identities, narratives, privileges, and how they intersect within the broader social context. Recognizing the complexities and nuances of their experiences and challenges is crucial. Also, experiences of marginalization can lead to various forms of mental, emotional, and physical distress.

Put the user’s knowledge, strength, and capacity at the center of the design.

My thesis research found that social support was the most effective solution for these women. However, online tools often intensified their feelings of uncertainty and fear. Finding reliable support depended on factors like open health discussions, empathy, and a supportive environment. This highlighted the need for online spaces that counter misinformation and promote community and understanding.

I utilized the coping mechanisms mentioned during the research as a foundation to design a solution. By identifying the gaps and rethinking the narrative through design, I aimed to create a positive impact. This approach aligns with SDG goals that strive to improve mental and emotional wellbeing, foster gender equality, and promote access to quality healthcare and information.

Equity practice in design

Equity practices are an important consideration. It involves purposeful actions during the design process to guarantee fairness, inclusivity, and equitable access for every individual, regardless of their background, identity, or situation. So when recruiting participants for user testing or interviews, it's crucial to ensure a diverse group is represented. And your user-centric approaches must be grounded in an awareness and understanding of the various perspectives, needs, and challenges different individuals bring.

Remember the environment.

Designing for users' physical environment is crucial for ensuring a holistic user experience. For instance, my thesis focuses on users contending with health issues and misinformation. While their engagement primarily happens through phones, offering quick access to information, it's crucial to acknowledge that these users might be dealing with overwhelming surroundings, even at home, or intense emotional states. This emphasizes the need to design beyond digital interfaces, accounting for the real-world contexts users navigate. By doing so, the user experience becomes more impactful and relevant, addressing their digital needs and realities.

Navigating Challenges and Advocating for Social Design

Creating designs with a focus on social impact, inclusivity, and diversity can be met with challenges, particularly when full integration into the initial version isn't immediately feasible due to limitations or resource constraints. However, in such scenarios, designers and researchers become pivotal by advocating for positive change and showcasing adaptability. While achieving inclusivity might not be immediate, the persistent pursuit of research and unwavering commitment can establish a strong foundation for future iterations that place accessibility and inclusion at the forefront.

At heart, the journey of designing for social good demands advocacy, adaptability, and a persistent drive for improvement. By facing challenges head-on and being dedicated to the cause, you can contribute to a more inclusive and positive future through your design choices.

Finding Projects and Communities in the Social Design Space

Collaboration breathes life into the essence of social design. By joining fellow designers, researchers, and product managers, you can sharpen your skills to address critical societal issues with finesse. The amalgamation of diverse expertise and perspectives paves the way for crafting solutions that are comprehensive and remarkably effective, igniting positive transformations.

As you embark on your journey into social design, you might wonder where to find impactful projects and connect with like-minded communities. The following platforms help collaborate and develop your skills when designing for good.

VolunteerMatch
UXrescue
Catchafire
Google.org/opportunities/
Designing for Social Good by Google UX Design Certificate.

So, as we conclude our exploration of social design, let's remember that the design canvas is a canvas of influence, empowerment, and hope. Whether you're designing a digital interface that navigates health misinformation, shaping a sustainable product that minimizes environmental impact, or collaborating with diverse communities to foster inclusivity, your choices matter. The power lies in our hands — the power to design for impact, the power to drive change, and the power to inspire a better tomorrow.

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