MAP-it. On Risk, Friction and Releasing Control

MAP-it is a mapping method to mediate participatory design processes. More specifically, it is a toolkit - or MAP-(k)it - that is designed to address the fact that people from different profiles, backgrounds and expertise do not necessarily share the same 'language'. The MAP-(k)it contains stickers and background maps that are open and adjustable and it intends to construct a common language among participants. This language - which is new to all participants - aims to create a different dialogue than every participant is used to in her/his own context. MAP-it's 'unfamiliar' character enables everybody to join the conversation on an equal level. MAPit encourages participants to take the risk to explore the rich potential of their mutual differences and to deal with the resulting uncertainty in a playful and constructive way. A review of risk-related literature shows that this type of risk-taking is often underexposed in the description of participatory methods. Generally, (the descriptions of) these methods - and certainly when used in commercial contexts - focus on reaching consensus between participants as efficient as possible. However, risk is an integral and necessary part of the participatory process.