4 =a mnmyvwx Cc Oo mo Mm wm Hw The Generative Toolbox in use during Workchops. The Generative Toolbox is a collection of all the materials that you have ever used and will ever use for executing generative design research. The Generative Toolbox helps you to grow from being a design researcher who modifies ready- made toolkits to becoming a design researcher who can create custom-made toolkits for the situation at hand. The toolbox grows in use over time. You take toolkits and materials out of the Generative Toolbox for use in generative sessions. Later on, you return materials, the used toolkit and insights. Some of the materials will be reusable, and others you will need to replenish. You should always be on the lookout for new toolkit materials as you never know what you might need in the future. Some of the 2D materials and tools that I have in my Generative Toolbox include: > Photos, both concrete and abstract including images of people, places, things, and feelings > Colored shapes made out of paper. They may be iconic, symbolic, abstract, representational, etc. They come in many sizes. Words Phrases Symbols Pictograms Emoticons Stories and story headlines Small sketches showing people in action VVVVVVVOV Blank cards for writing on (or to use in making games) > Blank booklets >“What if? cards” for provoking thoughts and actions Vv Colored tape in many thicknesses Markers, both thin and thick and in many colors. Some Dry-Erase. Vv Vv Glue and tape. (Removable is best so participants can change their minds.) Scissors Vv > Post-itnotes, both square and round Some of the 3D materials and tools that I have in my Generative Toolbox include: > Clay and Play-Doh > People figures that range from abstract to realistic, small to large, etc. > Wooden blocks of many different shapes, sizes, and colors > Paper boxes that fold flat for travel, in all sizes and colors > Velcro-modeling components for full-scale mockups of prototypes > Asandbox full of sand and a wide range of plastic sand toys Puppets of people and animals Dress-up items such as hats, glasses, etc. LEGOs, both Duplo and regular Wire and wire cutters Pipe cleaners of all types and sizes Yarn of different colors and thicknesses Little balls made of wool Felt and other fabrics VVVVVVVOV Esselte The photo above shows the Generative Toolbox during a workshop in New Zealand called Workchops (https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=m67m0E3D108). The fourteen workshop participants were experienced design researchers wanting to learn more about using generative design toolkits for social innovation. I put together this toolbox for them to use in making their own toolkits which they then used on each other. Because of the travel distance involved, I could only bring items that traveled well, so many items were locally sourced. I hope this short paper has helped to get you thinking about planning and conducting generative design research for social innovation. As social innovators, we need to slow down and take the time we need for the co-designing process. Look for opportunities to practice at both ends of the ready-made to bespoke scale of design research methods and tools. If we are to become better at addressing the future consequences of what is designed, we will need more design researchers who can facilitate generative design research for both social and commercial innovation. Sanders, E.B.-N. § Stappers, P.J. Convivial Tool- box: Generative Research for the Front End of Design. Amsterdam: BIS Publishers. 2012.