Design-Led Problem Solving

Building stronger communities through collaborative action.

We shape local design labs that bring together diverse voices - especially those with lived experience - to explore complex social challenges and imagine new possibilities. Using a blend of community research and design thinking, we guide teams through a collaborative process of discovery, prototyping, and refinement. With funding and technical support through The Social Impact Lab Alberta, promising ideas are transformed into tangible, community-led solutions.

Design-Led Programs

Community Co-Design

A pair of work boots

Through a collaborative, action-oriented process, Community Co-Design empowers residents to develop practical local solutions to social and economic challenges.

This service is best for:

  • Municipalities
  • Local needs assessments
  • Community-led initiatives
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Agency Collaboration

A bee

We help agencies, coalitions, and networks applying design thinking to unlock new ways forward. This process helps de-risk community investments and bring ideas to life sustainably and at scale.

This service is best for:

  • Non-profit organizations
  • Multi-stakeholder groups
  • Cross-agency partnerships
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Working on a unique problem? We can help

A lightbulb

Not every challenge fits a mold. If you’re tackling a complex issue or seeking new ways to support community action, we’ll help you explore and execute a design-led approach that meets your unique needs. 

This service is best for:

  • Are unsure where you fit
  • Support local change
  • Want to learn more
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Featured work

Community Co-Design – Athabasca, AB

The Mayerthorpe Design Lab Case Study

The Mayerthorpe Design Lab (MDL) demonstrates a progressive shift in how rural communities identify and solve social problems.

The Athabasca Design Lab Case Study

The Athabasca Design Lab (ADL), an initiative under The Social Impact Lab Alberta, was launched in 2024 to apply human-centred co-design principles to local challenges.