User engagement brings the voices and experiences of people with diverse characteristics into design and decision-making processes. It creates an opportunity to identify bespoke solutions for each project by gathering insights from current and future users; ultimately creating environments that are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the people who live, work and interact with them.
We see engagement as an ongoing process. Our approach goes beyond a one-off consultation to create meaningful feedback loops between end users, design teams and key stakeholders; allowing lived experience to inform decisions at each stage of a project.
Our engagement sessions include.
1 We use a range of engagement methods based on the project and its users, including:
• Advisory panels that bring together end-users with a diverse range of lived experiences, perspectives and connection to the project site.
• Stakeholder workshops and co-design sessions typically conducted with end users, design teams and key client stakeholders allowing each group to actively contribute to design development.
• Live environment testing within existing or proposed spaces to understand how people experience and navigate the environment.
• Employee resource and affinity group engagement to explore more specific experiences and needs unique to each organisation.
Inclusive engagement starts with removing barriers to participation and catering to the needs of diverse participants. We use accessible communications and materials, provide alternative ways to participate and make reasonable adjustments where required. Our recruitment and engagement processes are designed to reach people with a broad range of lived experiences, including those who may not traditionally be represented in consultation.
We then capture and synthesise what we hear, translating user insight into clear, evidence-based recommendations for design and decision-making. Feedback is documented and shared with project teams, creating a clear link between engagement and outcomes.
Whether we are establishing a user panel, facilitating a co-design workshop or testing a space with people who will use it, our aim is the same: to ensure that the people affected by a project have a meaningful opportunity to shape it.
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