Conversation
Allison Druin, Jon Kolko · 2017
Allison is a human–computer interaction/user experience researcher whose work on co-design with children and intergenerational teams is considered seminal research in the field of design. She is currently serving as Special Advisor for National Digital Strategy with the US National Park Service. Starting from their own personal perspectives and experiences, Allison and Jon explored various aspects of participatory design and learning before circling back to closing thoughts on the multiplicity of perspectives that exist across different design contexts. Throughout, they touched on the following themes tied to participatory design and learning: multiple personal perspectives on participatory design, what role does the designer and design expertise play in the practice of participatory design, and challenges and constraints of using participatory design in different contexts. Other themes include incorporating learning into the practice of participatory design, challenges of learning how to "do" participatory design, participatory design and social change: blending ideals and pragmatism and circling back to multiple perspectives on participatory design.