This book, published in late 2015, outlines the concepts and ideas behind design for social innovation. In particular, Enio Manzini outlines ideas for designers partnering with other for broader objectives, particularly social innovation (SI). A few important ideas are outlined well in his book, though his writing style at time is a bit verbose and wordy. First, he defines design as an activity falling between two contiuums; expertise/amateur and grassroots/formal. This is important in the roles he lays out for who should do what in social innovation practice. Much of the book, like the title, describes the proliferation of design agents. He goes on to describe a set of ropes for the designer in SI including making things tangible, visible, effective, efficient, and so on. Although traditional functions of product and graphic design are kept, a few new roles like "infrastructuring" emerge. Finally, he identifies some difference between social design and design for social innovation, which I had not previously nwcoutnered. At first, I found them confusing, but as I read the book, the clarity of definitions worked out better in my head and I will work that out here later on.
Many of the examples he provides are his work in Italy, though other social movements are described as SI, such the slow food movement. He gives great value to digital platforms especially in the value they play to connect and transform grassroots initiatives. Overall, the book provides an early overview to an emerging field that has given new responsibilities to creative professionals. What's more Manzini appears to be an active researcher studying SI in its relationship to design or creative professionals. He's written the best narrative of new design practices since Papanek's comprehensive work on social responsibility in the 70's.
