Co-Designing
Iron Trolley for Cleaners

This is a co-design project involving participants from different fields,
organized by Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation. It started with an on-site co-design workshop, where we created two prototypes based on interviews and observations with cleaners. The prototypes were first tested in the lab and then by the cleaners. Each development involves balancing various conditions, including environment, cost, technology, regulations, and stakeholders′ interests. It is not high-tech design, but many functions meet the current needs of the cleaners. The design aims to improve and standardize these needs. Union representatives have reminded us to be cautious about making significant changes, as the biggest challenge in design is the users′ habits. So far, the new design has been rated “good” in user tests, but the function of preventing garbage from being exposed in the two gray bins still needs further study. A team member rightly pointed out that this project is not about imposing our will on the cleaners but interacting with them, listening to their opinions, analyzing and debating, then creating, testing, and improving. As long as this “cycle” is done well, successful designs will emerge.
＞Chi