THE FUTURE OF DESIGN IS
COLLABORATIVE, CONSIDERED, AND LIFE CENTRED.
Founded by Ranee Lee, Associate Professor of Industrial Design at OCAD University, DESIGNwith is the outcome of the ongoing pursuit of best practices for Co-design research for social good and a circular economy.
In partnership with Cadillac Fairview Toronto Eaton Center and OCAD University we opened our design lab in June 2022 to transform communities through design.
WE SEE 'NEEDS' AS DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES AND FOR DESIGN TO BE A TOOL TO HELP SOLVE INJUSTICES AND INEQUALITIES.
COLLECTIVELY, OUR DESIGN APPROACH NEEDS TO INCLUDE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN INVITED TO THE TABLE.
With a seven-year-long relationship with the Regent Park Community Ranee Lee brought her OCAD University circular design students off-site to co-design market ready products with the women from the Regent Park Sewing Studio. The outcome was a rich experience in knowledge and skill sharing amongst a diverse range of community members and led her to develop DESIGNwith as a lab for research and co-design between various sectors and stakeholders.
In partnership with Cadillac Fairview and OCAD University Ranee Lee opened DESIGNwith the lab in June 2022 to transform the surrounding community using design for social innovation and a circular economy. Connecting Cadillac Fairview’s mandate for positive social change with an opportunity to empower the public and underserved community members using co-design with academia for purposeful knowledge and skill sharing.
WHAT GOT US HERE WILL NOT GET US THERE
DESIGNwith is a life-centered design lab for social innovation and a circular economy. Composed of a values-based collective of creative experts, DESIGNwith transforms communities as a caring design practice. By inviting undervalued voices and applying under-utilized materials DESIGNwith seeks to democratize the learnings of design knowledge by sharing circular design processes with ways to disrupt the economy through research, workshops, exhibitions, and product lines. Creating an equitable design intersection by designing with academia, corporations, and the community for positive social and environmental good.
The creative collective uses the lab to incubate ideas around knowledge and skill sharing through design research, co-design, and community programming. Creating space for social and creative empowerment through knowledge and skill sharing with corporations, academia, and our community.
From theory to fabrication our lab aims to empower our community with knowledge and skill sharing through design-led workshops, seminars and exhibitions. Our creative collective facilitates community workshops to teach our community about circular ways of making to address our current linear economy with alternate sustainable methods of making.
Introducing innovative sustainable products through in-lab research, prototyping, and sharing the findings with the community through workshops and products.
THE CREATIVE COLLECTIVE WELCOMES PEOPLE FROM ALL DISCIPLINES TO COLLABORATE IN DESIGN-LED SOCIAL INNOVATION FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY.
DESIGNwith the lab is located in one of Canada’s largest and accessible malls. The lab is located on the second level of CF Toronto Eaton Centre closest to Canadian Tire, Joeys, and H&M in the Northwest corridor beside the TTC Dundas Station.
Accessible through the Yonge Street entrance by escalator as well as the Best Buy entrance with both elevators and escalators.
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