Meta-design and cultures of participation: transformative frameworks for the design of communication

Abstract

Meta-design (transcending other design disciplines such as user-centered design and participatory design) is focused on "design for designers". It provides foundations for a fundamental shift from consumer cultures (specialized in producing finished goods to be consumed passively) to cultures of participation (in which all people are provided with the means to participate actively in personally meaningful activities). These frameworks explore and support new approaches for the design, adoption, appropriation, adaptation, evolution, and sharing of artifacts by all participating stakeholders. Meta-design and cultures of participation are not dictated by technology alone: they are the result of incremental shifts in human behavior and social organizations.