Inclusive Values to Shape Detroit’s Future as a City of Design

WITH DESIGN CORE DETROIT

Research and engagement for shared design values.

In December 2015, Detroit became the first UNESCO City of Design in the United States, a recognition of its enduring design legacy and vibrant creative community. Design Core Detroit, as the steward of this designation, embraced the opportunity to use design as a tool to drive sustainable and equitable solutions for the city. To ensure this vision reflected the diverse voices The Work Department guided a collaborative process to define shared values for the Detroit: City of Design Initiative.

Two women sit together. One is writing on a large dot sticker while the other watches intentily.

Over five months, we led a rigorous and community-centered engagement process, organizing 15 sessions with more than 500 Detroit residents. Through interviews, workshops, and interactive experiences, we created spaces for dialogue where participants could share their lived experiences and aspirations. Rather than focusing directly on design, we framed our conversations around the concept of the “good life,” asking residents to envision what would enhance their quality of life and address the city’s needs. Our approach drew from research on the guiding principles of other movements and initiatives to ensure our process was both meaningful and effective.

Together with the community, we identified three core inclusive design values:

  1. Diverse Experiences: Seeking out and embracing a variety of lived experiences to maximize collective wisdom and address Detroit’s unique needs.  

  2. Collaborative Relationships: Building bridges across communities and sectors, enabling individuals and organizations to achieve more together than they could alone.  

  3. Accessible Opportunities: Creating solutions that empower everyone to participate fully and equitably, regardless of ability, language, race, culture, income, gender, or age.

At Design Core Detroit’s annual Design Summit, we unveiled these values through a keynote address, a booklet illustrating real-life scenarios of the values in action, and an interactive wall exhibit inviting participants to reflect on how they could act on the values. By presenting the values in tangible and relatable ways, we inspired Detroiters to integrate inclusive design into their daily lives and professional practices.

As facilitators of this process, we made sure these values were rooted in the voices of Detroiters, informed by the city’s lived experiences, and reflective of its unique challenges and opportunities. Our role was to bring expertise in people-centered design and engagement to guide this process while amplifying the community’s vision.

These inclusive design values continue to remain central to Design Core Detroit’s work. They use these principles to guide initiatives that foster local talent, support the growth of the design industry, and advocate for policies that promote equity and inclusion.

PHOTOS BY

Bree Gant

A group of people stand at a wall with their backs to the camera. They are placing stickers and cards on the wall under a series of value words.
A diverse group of people sit in a semi-circle talking. They have clipboards and worksheets on their laps.
An older woman is writing on a large sitcky dot.
Detroit City of Design, Values for Inclusive Growth booklet cover