Announcing the CoDesign Studio Opening!

The Vice Provost for Research at Indiana University, Bloomington has contributed valuable start-up funding to create The CoDesign Commons Studio, providing an accessible, comfortable and vibrant space for older residents and others to co-design and co-create a more livable community for our future on a small aging planet. 
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A Novel No-Brainer!

​Older adults are experts on their own lives, so why not support them in designing their own futures and why not expect designers and researchers to design with, not for older people? ​

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​The Perfect Space!

​The studio project is a partnership with the Area 10 Agency on Aging and will occupy the Endwright East Active Living Community Center in the Bloomington College Mall every Friday beginning February 7, 2025, 11 am – 3 pm. The calendar will include a wide variety of creative activities crafted to elevate the design skills of elders and build relationships with design experts. 
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To Find Out More:

​Contact the studio lead, Phil Stafford, who has worked with older adults in Bloomington for 45 years and now fits the bill as a proud member of the group. 

​Call or text: 812-361-6267
Email: [email protected]

who we are

what we do 

The CoDesign Commons is a (mostly) v​olunteer endeavor, founded in Bloomington, Indiana by Phil Stafford, a retired cultural anthropologist with 45 years of experience in the field of aging. He is joined by a small group of very creative individuals dedicated to vital aging and experienced in the arts, design, service development and technology. ​

how can i be involved? 

All observers are totally welcome. To join in, become a commoner by registering simply on this website. You will receive notices and invitations to participate and, more importantly, contribute directly to the design process. Whether you live alone, in a household or in a congregate or long term care setting, you are a potential co-designer and your view of the world is valued. ​

As a program of the non-profit Commons Planning, Inc., we provide consultation to older adult individuals and groups seeking to enhance their ability to participate in the public design of environments, services and technologies. We conduct design education programs, organize charrettes (co-design workshops) and create a vital, accepting and exciting space where older adults can partner with open-minded designers and entrepreneurs to improve their skills in inclusive design. ​

why get connected 

Older people are too often discussed as a group in need. We believe aging is about giving not receiving - giving back to the community and future generations. The capacity of older people to do this is unlimited and their potential contributions to design  are too often overlooked.  By becoming a "commoner" both older adults and designers can, together, build a more inclusive planet. 

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"It's design, when everybody designs."    (after Ezio Manzini)

What is CoDesign?
CoDesign is collaborative - sometimes called participatory design.
CoDesign is design with not design for the users and sometimes called human-centered design. 
The CoDesign Commons builds upon the things we share, our commonwealth and commonhealth. 
We seek to bring together older adults and design experts to craft more inclusive environments, services, and technologies for our small, aging planet. 

The CoDesign Co​mmons
Indiana office of Commons Planning, Inc. 
www.commonsplanning.org

Philip B. Stafford, CoDesign Director
[email protected]
812-361-6267
Bloomington, IN 47408

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