Guide to responsibilities in Public Design Practices

A guide to taking responsibility at moments that make a difference

Who is actually responsible here? In public design practices, public-sector organisations and designers work together on societal challenges. With complex challenges, roles are often diffuse, interests overlap, and responsibility can fall between people, teams and organisations. It is often clear what needs to happen to create impact, yet it does not happen because no one feels sufficiently responsible or empowered to act.

What role can you take, and how can you increase your impact within that role? This guide will help you explore these questions.

Who is it for?

Designers, civil servants and other professionals who use design approaches to work on societal challenges.

When to use it?

Use this guide as a mirror at moments when collaboration, responsibility or public values need explicit attention. You can use it individually or as a group. Examples of when to use it include:

• At the start of a project, to discuss expectations, roles and responsibilities.

• During a project, when collaboration becomes difficult or responsibilities are unclear.

• When handing a project over to a new phase or a new team.

• As an interim reflection or final evaluation.

• In training programmes, learning programmes, peer-learning sessions or workshops focused on public design practice.

This guide was developed by De Publieke Ontwerppraktijk (PONT) in collaboration with MUST Stedebouw and Studio Berg.