Designers agency: human-centred design in communication design practice

This paper raises questions about the designers¿ agency in human centred design using a communication design project as the site for investigation. It builds on the discussion surrounding human-centred design where the designer is viewed as a key agent in the design process. What is the designer's role? What is their agency? How is agency enabled? These questionings moves the discussion beyond the traditional boundaries of `form giving¿ that characterises the practice of communication designers. Furthermore, the paper critically reflects upon the interactions that had occurred amongst the stakeholders in this project and explores key factors that enable agency, such as roles, value and empowerment.