Design-Driven Conflicts: The Emergence of a Cooperative Culture During Times of Crisis — a Narrative Simulation Approach

Abstract This study investigates the application of Design-Driven Conflicts (DDC), a systemic design method, to foster cooperation and action between conflicting actors during periods of unrest. Using narrative simulation, the research explores how the DDC method—comprising five dialogic processes and steps—can shift the mindsets of opposing agents from rivalry to collaboration and promote a culture of creativity essential for the continuity of social innovation. Over the course of five collaborative sessions, our findings indicate that the DDC method significantly enhanced the quality of engagement, improved the level of dialogue, and stimulated reflective practices, ultimately leading to the frame innovation. The results suggest that DDC is a valuable design method for community-level engagement and crisis response, with practical implications for design institutions, policymakers, and practitioners working at various organizational levels to address complex societal challenges. Future research should focus on testing the method’s applicability in real-world settings to assess its broader impact and implications in diverse crisis situations.