Co-design is one of the most impactful methods to ensure that the products, services, and solutions we develop meet the needs of the most underserved people in society.

To incorporate equitable co-design practices, we must work to understand the systemic contexts that underlie the root causes of the problems we aim to solve. This approach ensures a holistic understanding of the underlying issues and helps us build empathy into our solutions.

Over the last year, Optimistic Design’s Chief Strategy Officer, Sheryl Cababa, leveraged her expertise in systems thinking to provide a perspective on problem-solving and opportunity spotting. Through a series of podcasts, she introduced listeners to the powerful methods and practices that make co-design so impactful.

Using tools and frameworks found in her book, Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, Sheryl introduces listeners to the foundations necessary to establish a systems thinking mindset and its necessity in establishing equitable co-design practices in your own work.

If you’re inspired to deepen your understanding of the connection between systems thinking and co-design, start with Sheryl’s top 5 podcast appearances below. Each episode dives into the practical applications and transformative potential of these methodologies, offering invaluable insights for anyone committed to creating equitable

1. What the Fundraising (Aired September 5th, 2023)
   

2. Learning Unboxed (Aired September 18th, 2023)
   

3. Nonprofit MBA (Aired June 28th, 2023)
   

4. Edtech Insiders (Aired May 24th, 2023)
   

5. Principal Center Radio (Aired August 21st, 2023)

Want to learn more about how you can apply systems thinking in your work? You can purchase Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers from Rosenfeld Media.