Cartography of Transforming Practices

“Cartography of Transforming Practices” explores how to map complexity within the context of transformative design processes. The aim was to create a toolkit and methodology that enables designers to navigate the ambiguous and unpredictable nature of complex systems. This approach centers on the idea of embracing uncertainty and complexity, moving away from traditional solution-driven methods commonly used in design and engineering.

We employed a Research Through Design methodology, engaging in multiple iterations of tool creation, testing, and refinement. The process involved physical and digital workshops where participants used an open mapping toolkit to interact with complex problems in a collaborative, experiential way. The toolkit allowed participants to explore different perspectives through visual, tactile, and role-playing exercises, helping them to externalize and reflect on their sense-making processes.

The final deliverable included a conceptual framework and a physical tool that guides participants through six subconscious stages of sense-making, supported by four conscious steps—aiming, doing, describing, and reflecting. These processes are designed to help users experience and embody complexity, leading to personal and external transformation.

We believe that the toolkit serves as a valuable resource for designers to engage with complexity and could be applied more broadly beyond the academic environment. They also highlight the importance of further refining the toolkit, especially by enhancing its digital aspects and expanding its usability in non-design fields.