Culture in Action: Unpacking Capacities to Inform Assets-Based Design

Re-defining Characteristics of a Design Protagonist – Elements of Children’s Design Capital

“…It is also in line with the recent introduction of the asset-based approach that emphasizes the existing resources and strengths in the support of communities (see e.g. Cho et al 2019;Irani et al 2018;Karusala et al 2019;Pei and Nardi 2019;Wong-Villacres et al 2020). However, we acknowledge that the concept of capital has not yet received a lot of attention in CCI and there is a clear need to continue this conceptual work: to clarify the different characteristics of design capital, and its dynamics, evolution and consequences in time.…”

“…In order to empower children, the main focus in design activities should be on leveraging children's existing knowledge and competences, for instance, their parents' cultural capital, rather than their needs and lacks. (Wong-Villacres et al 2020). The basis for this work is in 'asset-based design', a recent shift in HCI research highlighting communities' competences for sustainable development (Cho et al 2019;Irani et al 2018;Karusala et al 2019;Pei and Nardi 2019;Wong-Villacres et al 2020), the term asset being used to identify communities' existing strengths, skills and competences-rather than their shortages and needs.…”

“…(Wong-Villacres et al 2020). The basis for this work is in 'asset-based design', a recent shift in HCI research highlighting communities' competences for sustainable development (Cho et al 2019;Irani et al 2018;Karusala et al 2019;Pei and Nardi 2019;Wong-Villacres et al 2020), the term asset being used to identify communities' existing strengths, skills and competences-rather than their shortages and needs. However, identifying these assets or varying kinds of FoK within the context of children's design capital requires work.…”

“…In these studies, Bourdieu's notion of capital is used and linked to funds of knowledge to highlight that children's social capital is not limited to their individual knowledge, but rather distributed through networks around children. Social capital is one of the children's resources, which refers to their accumulated existing abilities and knowledge shaped through their social interactions (Wong-Villacres et al 2020). For instance, parents as a source of social capital (Coleman 1988) are capable to facilitate learning opportunities and educational experiences for their children (Disalvo et al 2016;Wong-Villacres et al 2020).…”

“…Social capital is one of the children's resources, which refers to their accumulated existing abilities and knowledge shaped through their social interactions (Wong-Villacres et al 2020). For instance, parents as a source of social capital (Coleman 1988) are capable to facilitate learning opportunities and educational experiences for their children (Disalvo et al 2016;Wong-Villacres et al 2020). Furthermore, Madaio et al (2019) utilize both Bourdieu's cultural capital and Swidler's notion of culture in action (Swidler 1986) to show how parents' values, beliefs, and aspirations for their children's education can scaffold children's knowledge in design.…”