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Author: Katerina Alexiou, Vera Hale, Theodore Zamenopoulos, Sophia de Sousa

Co-design approaches

Updated Tuesday, 27 February 2024

There are many different approaches, methods and tools that can be used to enable co-design at different stages in the process.

Find out more about The Open University's Design courses and qualifications.

Click here to view a short introduction to co-design 

Here is a selection of approaches that can be used by any individual or organisation that wishes to enable co-design activities in their context.

Developing a shared design purpose

This short animation introduces a structured way to facilitate the creation of a shared purpose among participants in a co-design project.

PDF document Transcript 77.9 KB

Asset mapping

This tool offers a practical introduction to asset mapping. A process of unearthing, visualising and connecting individual and collective skills, knowledge and other resources that a co-design team has and can use as a basis for further development of a design project.

Asset mapping tool (PDF document525.5 KB)

Connecting challenges, assets and opportunities

This short animation introduces a technique for generating ideas and opportunities for design by unearthing and combining individual and collective challenges and assets.

PDF document Transcript 75.2 KB

Cross-pollination

These two resources introduce an approach, called cross-pollination. It is used to bring actors from different sectors together to share skills, resources and ideas, and to develop new ideas or plans for collaborative projects or initiatives. 

The Cross-pollination Resource Pack gives an overview of the approach, its history and principles, and provides case studies and practical tools.

The Cross-pollination Resource Pack (PDF document13.9 MB)


This film provides a step-by-step guide to delivering a cross-pollination workshop with people co-designing projects or initiatives in a particular place.

Video shared from Cross-pollination project playlist

Acknowledgements: This OpenLearn page was produced through collaboration between The Open University and The Glass-House Community Led Design.

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