New RED project: DEMOCRACY

How could MPs better connect with their constituents? That's the question we set out to answer in this latest RED project.

We asked constituents to design their perfect MP; ran a design workshop with 15 MPs in parliament; debated the issues on the Today Programme; and we spent an intensive week working alongside a constituency office in Doncaster to develop a new set of services for MPs.

We published our results in the snappily-titled report, 'Ten practical things every MP can do to rebuild democracy in their constituency', which sets out proposals for new services for MPs, a hansard for constituents and a 'Constitupedia' - a resource of consituency best practice.

There's a short film of the project below and if you're interested in the detail a presentation of our Transformation Design process.

See RED/democracy

Chris Vanstone | LINK | DEMOCRACY PROJECT | COMMENTS (0)

Home Green Home

Robin Murray, director of RED during the energy project, has been busy. In partnership with lifestyle management service TenUK, the London Bourough of Lewisham and the Mayor of London he's developing a new kind of energy service - one that will help you green your home without the hassle.

Over the coming months the partnership will prototype the Green Homes service with 40 homes in Lewisham. The service includes: a home energy check-up, expert advice, finance, carbon payback grants and a second check-up to help you see what your saving.

If you're thinking of greening your home, and particularly if you live in Lewisham watch this space...the team are looking for people who are interested in participating in the prototype. www.greenhomeslondon.co.uk

Chris Vanstone | LINK | ENERGY PROJECT | COMMENTS (0)

Designing new public services presentation

I've had lots of requests from people who heard me speak at conferences in the US recently for a copy of my slides. The presentation sets out why we need a new generation of public services and a new(design-led) method of creating them. I talked about our two healthcare projects, designing for behaviour change and transformation design. Click here for a pdf of the presentation and a (very) rough transcript.

Download presentation

Download script

Jennie Winhall | LINK | DESIGN METHODS + HEALTH PROJECT + PUBLIC SERVICES + TRANSFORMATION DESIGN | COMMENTS (0)

RED Open House on air

In September RED opened it's dorrs for the second year of RED Open House during London Design Festival. We had a great time chatting to all those who came and would like to thank them in particular for their ideas, feedback and discussion. For anyone who had thought they might like to come but got distracted, waylaid or otherwise engaged, you can listen to the presentation here. (MP3, 40mins, 19mb )

Jude | LINK | Podcast | COMMENTS (0)

We-think: the power of mass creativity - what do you think?

RED Associate, Charles Leadbeater, has realeasd a draft of his new book, We-think: the power of mass creativity, prior to publication and invites review and comment. The book looks at the rise of the likes of Wikipedia and Youtube, Linux and Craigslist and what this means for the way we organise ourselves, not just in digital businesses but in schools and hospitals, cities and mainstream corporations. Charlie's argument is that these new forms of mass, creative collaboration announce the arrival of a society in which participation will be the key organising idea rather than consumption and work. People want to be players not just spectators, part of the action, not on the sidelines. Take at look!

Jude | LINK | INTERESTING READING | COMMENTS (0)