Reframing Method
Our world is continuously changing. This means that solving today’s complex challenges does not necessarily lead to meaningful solutions for tomorrow.
The Reframing method, originally developed at the TU Delft, helps organisations, communities and citizens to understand their changing environment, envision alternative futures and to develop sustainable strategies to navigate from the present into a desired future. Based on this new frame we design concrete – yet bold - solutions that are vehicles for social change.
Designing our future is a shared responsibility. The Reframing method enables constructive dialogue between organisations, communities and citizens through the development of a shared perspective on the future.
Hekkert & Van Dijk (2011) Vision in Design, a guidebook for innovators.
Fundamental principles
Reframing is based on three fundamental stances.
The Reframing steps
The reframing process goes through several phases and specific steps that provide a clear and design trajectory for each project.
1. Deconstruction
2. Future context
3. Positioning
4. Design
5. Transition
The deconstruction phase is aimed at understanding the why behind the world of solutions that are currently used. The deconstruction phase helps us to understand if current systems, services or products are still meaningful within the current context, the world of today.
Next, we explore the future context related to a specific domain through research and expert interviews. The aim is not to predict the future but rather to make it possible to imagine multiple futures. This phase typically results in a future framework that helps to see the world in new ways. This framework functions as a frame of reference that defines the design space from which possible solutions could emerge.
Next, we shift from a plausible to a preferable future. The future that we expect is not necessarily the same as the future we aspire to. The positioning phase is about setting out an ambitious vision for what you’d like the future to look like within what is possible.
In the design phase we develop new products, services, systems or environments that can accelerate the transition towards the desired change. We design, test and scale new solutions.
The last phase is to design a transformation path from the present into the future. What practical steps are necessary in the short term? Together with our partners we define the capabilities, expertise or strategic partnerships that are necessary to execute the ideas.
The Reframing steps
The reframing process goes through several phases and specific steps that provide a clear and design trajectory for each project.
1. Deconstruction
The deconstruction phase is aimed at understanding the why behind the world of solutions that are currently used. The deconstruction phase helps us to understand if current systems, services or products are still meaningful within the current context, the world of today.
2. Future context
Next, we explore the future context related to a specific domain through research and expert interviews. The aim is not to predict the future but rather to make it possible to imagine multiple futures. This phase typically results in a future framework that helps to see the world in new ways. This framework functions as a frame of reference that defines the design space from which possible solutions could emerge.
3. Positioning
Next, we shift from a plausible to a preferable future. The future that we expect is not necessarily the same as the future we aspire to. The positioning phase is about setting out an ambitious vision for what you’d like the future to look like within what is possible.
4. Design
In the design phase we develop new products, services, systems or environments that can accelerate the transition towards the desired change. We design, test and scale new solutions.
5. Transition
The last phase is to design a transformation path from the present into the future. What practical steps are necessary in the short term? Together with our partners we define the capabilities, expertise or strategic partnerships that are necessary to execute the ideas.
Reframing Studio is an independent innovation agency with over 25 years of experience.
