Turning inwards for change – The role of inner conditions in transformative co-design

Abstract The transformation towards eco-social sustainability is an important issue for many of us. Those involved in transformative activities often undergo continual processes of self-reflection, enhancing their awareness and capabilities. This paper focuses on co-design with transformative aims and on processes for which the ability and willingness of individuals to shift their perspectives and adopt new roles and practices is central. It looks at the ways in which we can nurture the interconnectedness of internal and external change by revisiting existing design practices that are complemented by awareness-based system change. The paper contributes to the discussions on the inner conditions in transformative co-design through three perspectives: empathy and relating, self-awareness in co-design, and experiencing connectedness. Transformative processes are not easy. Therefore, we need to pay more strategic attention to inner conditions if we are to increase the transformative potential of design to cultivate eco-social change.