Our Values
Within Canada’s rapidly changing economy, the gap between “rich” and “poor”communities continues to grow. Alternative economies anchored in local resources and existing skillsets can create sustainable and equitable opportunities for residents, as well as ethical consumption options for consumers.
greaterthan project aims to explore the potential for participatory and codesign projects to improve welfare and work accessibility for residents in Regent Park and beyond.
This two year research program will work towards suggesting policy formation and implementation that can improve livelihood security and equity outcomes for underserved communities who are often new immigrants.
Value Process >
Through examining analogous case studies in Canada and abroad, the project will establish a design process to enable designer-community collaboration.
Value Skillsets >
Through surveys, workshops, and public exhibition, the project will seek to identify and celebrate hidden skillsets within the Regent Park Community.
Value Futures >
Outputs of the project will create a toolkit and publications aimed at communities and organizations seeking to support sustainable livelihoods and social security in Canadian communities.
Our Story
greaterthan builds upon Ranee Lee's continuing work connecting OCADU design students with the Regent Park Community.
In 2015, Lee integrated Design for Social Change into the OCADU Industrial Design program. Highlighting that design education does not operate in isolation, but rather is embedded in collaborative industry, Design For Social Change curriculum is an essential working premise needed to solve some of the world’s “wicked” livelihood and social welfare challenges.
Lee partnered with Yonge Street Mission to bring women sewers and Industrial Design students together to produce products as part of a Livelihood Program.
In 2018, Lee piloted and implemented the first OCADU Offsite course in Regent Park, which embedded Industrial Design students with the Regent Park Sewing Studio at CCL&D to co-create soft goods products.
This work has been exhibited at DesignTO, Daniels Spectrum, and OCADU's Grad Gallery.
Timeline
greaterthan is funded through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and is conducted in compliance with the research ethics code of OCAD University, REB 2021-46.