Briefing

In the field of non-profit social services (e.g. care for the elderly, handicapped, youth and children), the digital transformation also has considerable consequences for the mediation of offers, demand management and market placement. The target groups (relatives, care staff, employees in the assistance facilities, customers etc.) are now accustomed to using digital channels and also expect up-to-date offers in the social service sector. How can digital products and solutions support the service to people in a meaningful way?

Design, both as a tool for designing products, but also as a method, can function as a key discipline here. In a semester project in the winter semester 2018/19 at the HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd, students were ask to design products specifically for non-profit institutions from the social economy. These can be digital products (e.g. apps or platforms) or design concepts for other channels (print, trade fairs, etc.).