Skip to content

Open Design Values and Principles

Jess Klein edited this page Sep 15, 2017 · 2 revisions

As we design projects and products, we identify certain attributes that guide our work. They empower us to filter opportunities, make challenging design decisions and ultimately define success because they are value oriented. Values are non - negotiable and require enduring collective action. In this document we identify these core values, how we work with them and practically speaking, how might we incorporate them on a day to day basis into our workflow. Open Design Kit embodies these values. We hope that they inspire you in your own work.


Value: Educates

Every experience that we design is something that somewhere someone can learn from.

Principles:

  • Every project is a learning opportunity
  • Consider solutions that will empower stakeholders to become makers
  • No jargon
  • Create incremental process changes

Value: Global and Local

The tools and sites that we make are authored and consumed by individuals from all over the world. We embrace this diversity as it fosters innovation, creativity and authenticity.

Principles

  • Document our tools and processes to support communication
  • Create materials for the unknown user - watch voice, tone and jargon

Value: Improves our craft

We care about how we make the products that we put out into the world. As lifelong learners, we are passionate about perfecting, defining and refining our process and craft.

Principles:

  • Provide practical solutions whenever possible
  • Quality and care goes into every project
  • Work with our clients to manage expectations
  • Role definition and clarity provide a way to create deeper niche impact
  • Make an impact on the project or product in some form so that it is better off than when we started

Value: Supports

We champion users so that they can engage in safe, private and welcoming interactive environments.

Principles:

  • Empower users with choice
  • Study user habits in order to support them
  • Provide actionable solutions and feedback
  • Evaluate if the process and methods are working for all stakeholders

Value: Accessible

Design is meant to make concepts palatable to everyone - regardless of their abilities or background.

Principles:

  • Usability testing guides design decisions
  • User control and choice

Clone this wiki locally