DesignWISE is a new tool under development that offers an alternative to traditional linear design processes. Additionally, the tool is inspired by the medicine wheel from indigenous wisdom traditions that date back thousands of years, as recognized in indigenous cultures across the globe.
DesignWISE offers an alternative to traditional linear design processes, where we typically move from concept or brief to final outcome. The DesignWISE wheel encourages a comprehensive 360-degree reflection on all processes and decisions.
Form follows consciousness: DesignWISE rest on the premise that to foster profound changes in our organizations and society, we must reconnect with the deeper layers of our being and our connection to nature. This means moving beyond the familiar boundaries of ordinary experiences and conventional approaches, to adopt regenerative principles that drive profound and sustainable evolution.
The DesignWISE tool is designed to incorporate practices of introspection and contemplation – including mindfulness – into design processes. This integration helps shift us away from conventional methods and introduces new forms of inspiration into our practice.
DesignWISE in eight phases: The DesignWISE wheel is composed of eight phases that follow the cycle of the medicine wheel, encompassing various seasons, elements, and life stages, each symbolizing different fundamental energies in the universe. Throughout this process, there are opportunities to zoom in and out, from the specific and concrete to the planetary scale. The core questions driving DesignWISE are: How can we fundamentally shift our perspective from a human-centric to a planetary view? How can we create to regenerate?
Learn more about DesignWISE in Ida Engholm’s book: Design for the New World: From Human Design to Planet Design
A detailed methodology guide is currently under development and will be available on this website from Fall 2024.
