ABSTRACT
During my time at Lancaster University in England, I was able to introduce students to the complexities of designing with organizations. I was able to get permission from the university library to conduct a design inquiry. The students were initially seriously restricted in their research. They were told not to talk to library visitors or staff; not to take pictures and not to interfere with the operational life. In short, they were pretty much told off by the interim head of the library to engage in any sensible research. Neither the system nor the people seemed accessible. But the students were not deterred. They understood that part of their initial task was to develop a relationship with people working in the organization. We began to work together with the librarian responsible for design literature. She toured us through the building, explained the operations and the challenges the library currently faced in terms of purpose, resources and demands. She also introduced the student to the basics of library science. Though officially restricted, the students could visit the library in their role as ‘students’ and silently observe and take notes. Absent of permission to take pictures, they would document some observations by sketching.
