Narrating Community: exploring a relational approach to service design for social innovation

In Design for Social Innovation, using artistic languages in participatory processes is common, and while in the field of relational art similar participatory practices are applied, a comparison is missing: how can relational art contribute to participatory approaches in design for social innovation?

This thesis tests how a relational approach based on collecting place-based stories supports the engagement between design team and local community. Experimenting with the SMOTIES project, provided insights into the networks of relationships and symbolic meanings activated by places, enhancing the sense of ownership by locals of the final design intervention, key long-term success factor.