The Good Guide
DESIGN RESEARCH
An Ethical Guide for Sustainable and Inclusive Creative Practice for Students
Research, development and production of an IADT ethical guide for student creative practice based on sustainable and inclusive values funded under the National Technological University Transformation for Resilience and Recovery (N-TUTTOR) initiative.
The suite of materials designed aim to support students during their studies and into the future, envisioning to shape positive creative practices and professional perspectives that are people and planet-centred.
The Process
The process encompassed comprehensive secondary research and benchmarking; stakeholder management, conducting primary research with experts and student peers; strategic design and design thinking methodologies to enhance social engagement initiatives; data visualisation, creating compelling documentation and evidence-based design decisions.
Desk research: Establishment of the three pillars, initial collection of resources, and craft of report that informed primary research.
Expert Interviews: Gather of professional insight in what resonates with students and real-world practices.
Student Survey: Gauge of student interest in the guide topics and measurement of current knowledge about the three pillars.
One of the key takeaways of the survey was the high engagement of first years, this helped to build the tone of voice and copy writing of the materials.
Content Analysis: Finally, the research was collated and edited it for the student audience and a visual research took place.
Dissemination
The research and final product have been presented in different events, conferences and platforms, such as the N-TUTORR Showcase in April 2024 and an upcoming launch at IADT in October.
The material developed also became part of IADT’s first year’s welcome pack gifted to new students during the induction week of each academic year.
The project and research have also got additional funding to be used on the development of a set of tools aimed to target now academic staff and lecuters.
Materials
The main output of the project is a handbook. It introduces students to the core ideas with easy-to-understand text and friendly, bright graphics.
It includes a QR code that can be scanned to access a dedicated microsite with links to resources acquired and curated during desk research phase of the project, a digital version of the guide and a full report of the research.
Posters were also designed and placed around IADT’s campus to spread the word about The Good Guide.
The Team
Design: Heitor Laforga.
Research: Heitor Laforga, Claire Long & Evan Tobin.
Supervision: Dr Hilary Kenna.
