Design4Impact 3
Design4Impact (D4I) is an open innovation platform for social minded innovators to come together to pick up user-centred research and design thinking capabilities, and be connected to resources, funding and networks to co-create sustainable community-owned solutions.
On this page
Uplifting Vulnerable Families in the Community
Adjusting to post-pandemic life with constantly evolving adaptations has taken a toll on the physical, mental and emotional health of many. This is especially the case for vulnerable families, many of whom struggle to make ends meet. Without adequate resources and support, they face an uncertain future – exacerbated by struggles and anxieties over health, education and relationships.
The median household income of families who sought help from local charity Beyond Social Services fell from $1,600 before the COVID-19 pandemic to $500, according to a study by a charity which helps people from low-income backgrounds.
Despite efforts by various groups, there is room to do more. There is a need for greater social compact and a focus on more ground up initiatives to ensure opportunity for all Singaporeans.
We are bringing back D4I for a 3rd run this year, to provide an opportunity for social minded Singaporeans to join hands with other passionate individuals our community, partners and government to contribute to new and innovative approaches that would uplift and empower the vulnerable families.
We welcome you to join us to co-create solutions to help strengthen the vulnerable families in our community!
Challenge Statements
Holistic Education & Wellbeing
How might we… create a positive and encouraging environment to build up youths and children that are resilient and empowered?
Finance & Employment
How might we…ensure working adults from vulnerable families are given the resources to improve their economic circumstances?
Health & Wellbeing
How might we… develop better health systems and community networks to help families stay physically and psychologically healthy?
What Can We Do?
There are three challenge categories for teams to develop innovative ideas and co-create sustainable community-owned solutions.
As part of D4I3, all participants will get to attend industry-led design thinking workshops with pedagogy and training jointly developed by the NUS-ISS and DesignSingapore Council School of X (Dsg SoX); an opportunity to pitch their ideas to attain seed funding; the chance to network with potential funders, community partners and agencies; and be guided and championed by sector developers to implement their winning solutions in the community.
Before you sign up
Before the launch of Design4Impact 3, you can look forward to our two-part webinar that will provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by vulnerable families and learn more from about the design and piloting journey from past design challenge seed grant awardees.
The webinar will be held on 3rd February, Friday, 2pm to 4pm.
In the first part of the webinar, participants will get to hear from two seed grant awardees from previous editions of D4I about the challenges they faced in implementing their solutions, as well as the learnings and experiences from their innovation journey.
In the second part of the webinar, participants will learn about the social landscape as well as the daily experiences of vulnerable families – as told by practitioners working with these target segments.
This interactive webinar will help potential participants seek clarification and make an informed decision on which challenge statement to solution for.
A comprehensive and immersive learning journey
The design and piloting curriculum is developed by the Smart Health Leadership Centre at NUS-ISS. NUS ISS will drive efforts in smart health and human-centred innovation for health and social care.
Participants will undergo five stages of learning as part of the D4I3 experience.
Phase 1: Empathy
Research and immerse in the needs and challenges of our users.
Phase 2: Define
Analyse research, synthesising insights and refine the design challenge
Phase 3: Ideate
Generating ideas and concepts based on research insights
Phase 4: Prototype
Transforming conceptual ideas into tangible solutions
Phase 5: Test & Iterate
Testing solutions and improving though iteration
Timeline and Key Dates
As a guide, each participant is expected to commit to a minimum of 48 hours across 8 weeks for this challenge.
Based on previous challenges, beyond attending the challenge events listed below, teams will need to spend additional time ideating and finessing their solutions.
3 Feb 2023 (2pm – 4pm): Design4Impact Pre-Event Webinar
Potential participants can look forward to hearing from health experts, persons with lived experience, community activators, and industry professionals supporting vulnerable families in the community.Registration for D4I3
We welcome interested parties from Public, Private and People Sectors (community partners, social service agencies, volunteers, grassroots leaders, public officers and citizens) to sign up for D4I3.Application Outcome
Participants will be notified if they have been selected for D4I3.
1. Starting our Design4Impact Journey (3 March, In-person workshop)
Official Launch of Design4Impact3
Introduction to Design Challenges
Brief on the event format and key dates
Introduction to Design Thinking
Get to know your challenge team members, D4I-appointed Facilitator & Buddy, and familiarise yourself with design thinking and the D4I challenge
2A. Understanding the Needs of our Users (3 March, Watch video-on-demand before Team Session)
Framing your mindset for design research
Basic research approaches
Understanding the user and their circumstances
2B. Experiential Workshop (6 – 19 March, To attend at least 1 session)
“This Is My Experience” by Daughters of Tomorrow, an interactive workshop that raises awareness about poverty
Visit to =Dreams to understand how they create a child-centric holistic system of care
Experience the co-created neighbourhood trails by SkillSeed x AMKFSC that bring participants on a journey of empowerment, empathy and endless possibilities for vulnerable families
2C. Team Session: Field research & findings review (6 – 23 March, teams to arrange sessions with facilitator)
Supported by their facilitators, teams will plan for their research activities and perform a review of their research findings
3. Synthesise Insights & Refine Design Challenge (24 March, In-person workshop)
Synthesis of insights, creation of user personas and journey maps
Refining team challenge statement and creation of ‘How might we…’ questions
4. Team Session: Generating Ideas and Concepts (25 – 30 March, teams to arrange sessions with facilitator)
Generating ideas and concepts
Prioritisation of solution concepts to prototype and test
5A. Designing and Testing our Solution (31 March, Watch video-on-demand before Team Session)
Introduction to prototyping and user testing
5B. Team Session: Testing of Prototypes with Users (1 – 13 April, teams to arrange sessions with facilitator)
Teams are expected to create solution prototypes and test their solution concepts with potential users and relevant stakeholders
Teams will plan their user testing sessions with the support from their facilitator, and to review test feedback and suggestions for iterations
6A. Theory of Change & Value Proposition (14 April, Watch video-on-demand before Team Session)
Understand the importance of a clear value proposition, connecting the dots between the team’s designed solution and desired outcomes
6B. Team Session: Theory of Change & Value Proposition (14 – 27 April, teams to arrange sessions with facilitator)
Guided by their facilitator, teams will craft value propositions and construct a theory of change
Teams will plan for their pitch selection showcase with support from their facilitator
7. Design4Impact Pitch Event (19 May, In-person)
Opportunity to network with potential funders, community partners and agencies
Final Pitch Event where shortlisted teams will present their solutions to a panel of judges
The top team from each challenge will receive seed funding and support to implement their pilot in the community
Judging Criteria
Solution Fit
To what extent does the proposed solution address the problem statement and end user needs effectively?
Feasibility/Scalability
How easy will it be to develop and implement a working model of this solution?
Application of Design Thinking Principles
How well has the team used DT principles (empathy, define, ideate, prototype, test) to inform their solution?
Pitch & Presentation
How has the team articulated their proposal and engaged the audience?
Innovation
How well does the solution present new concepts or approaches to tackle the design challenge?
Other ways to contribute
You don’t have to be a participant to partner with us! We are looking for:
Users who are keen to test out and provide feedback on the participants' prototypes.
Content resource personnel from community providers, grassroots organisations, Social Service Agencies and other partners who can provide knowledge and insights on the challenges and problem statements to the participants.
Challenge sponsors and implementation partners who are keen to come onboard to implement the pilot prototypes, together with the winning teams.
Contact Us
Get in touch with us! Drop us a line at
design4impact.committee@gmail.com