Innovation School MDes Design Innovation & Citizenship MSc International Management & Design Innovation

Lucy Dickie ((She/Her))

I am a service designer who is driven by positive change and collective action. My practice is centred around environmental sustainability and community action. I believe that the future is bright should we encourage curiosity, imagination, and channel authentic perspective. I see potential in creative thinking and am excited by the possibilities that design offers.

Contact
Lucydickie98@gmail.com
l.dickie1@student.gsa.ac.uk
Works
The Crichton Trust’s Nutritious Earth

The Crichton Trust’s Nutritious Earth

Imagine a green community. What does that look like?

I have been collaborating with The Crichton Trust to explore this question as a means of tackling the climate crisis. The social enterprise based in Dumfries and Galloway want to illustrate what a green community might look like through the custodianship of their multipurpose estate. Together, we believe in less talk and more action. We see value in starting small to scale strategically. Putting users at the heart of The Trust’s green journey, and adopting an experimental attitude, we recognise opportunity in trialling potential ‘solutions’ to learn from, develop, and define best practice.

User-centred research was fundamental in uncovering the ‘crux’ of the problems on site. Such insights offered clarity and direction. Indeed, a design thinking-led approach empowered me to practice divergent and convergent thinking. This helped to weave insights together and form a multifaceted service. Meanwhile, co-creation with stakeholders devised a value-driven outcome that is inclusive and circular.

I propose extracting organic waste from the site that is destined for landfill. Repurposing it in an industrial composting unit will produce valuable organic matter. This compost can nourish and replenish the ground, capture carbon and nurture fair, organic produce in a community garden. The aim is to bring people together, reconnect stakeholders with nature, and find ways to birth life out of waste.

This is a solution designed with The Crichton, for The Crichton; however, it is intended to spark imagination beyond Dumfries and Galloway. Together, we strive to demonstrate possibility, ignite action, and restore hope.

 

 

 

OUTCOME

DISCOVERY

DISCOVERY

Current system transports waste an unnecessary 1,241 miles per year

INSIGHTS

Empathy interviews offered key insight into stakeholders perspectives, attitudes, needs and wants. Such were fundamental in driving the direction of the service

PERSONA

Referral to personas sculpted and refined the service throughout the iterative process

BRAINSTORMING AND PROTOTYPING

CO-CREATING

ITERATING

TESTING

STORYBOARD PART 1

STORYBOARD PART 2

STORYBOARD PART 3

IMPACT

The proposed service will encourage stakeholders to connect with the natural environment. This will develop a sense of responsibility and encourage green decision making. Indeed, interaction with nature will lead to healthier mental wellbeing.

IMPACT

Community garden will produce organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs which will in turn lead to healthier living. Sourcing locally will also partially limit transportation emissions and costs.

IMPACT

Offering place and purpose will encourage stakeholders to connect. In turn, sense of community will strengthen and collaboration will be encouraged. This may lead to innovative thinking and improve The Crichton's reputation and desirability.

MAPPING AND VISUALISING