"How can we increase voter turnout among young people?"
Velg & Vrak was the result of a dynamic, cross-disciplinary innovation project aimed at tackling the challenge of increasing youth voter participation. Conducted under the guidance of Ungt Entreprenørskap during my first year of Interaction Design at Høyskolen Kristiania, this project brought together students from Interaction Design, Project Management, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship to collaborate on a meaningful solution.
The Challenge: Boosting youth engagement in politics
Our overarching task was to explore ways to boost voter turnout among young people. Through extensive research and brainstorming, my group decided to focus specifically on minority youth in East Oslo, where voter turnout had been identified as particularly low. We believed that targeting this group could have a significant impact on overall youth engagement in elections.
The solution: A two-part strategy
After in-depth collaboration across disciplines, we developed a two-part solution that addressed both the information gap and the need for relatable political engagement:
1. A website: A user-friendly platform offering simplified, unbiased, accessible information about various political parties and their policies. The goal was to cut through political jargon and present the key points in a format that young people could easily understand and relate to.
2. An event: A live event featuring young politicians and role models, designed to engage minority youth through personal stories and interactive discussions. This approach aimed to make politics feel more relevant and approachable, showing how political decisions directly affect their lives.
Focusing on minority youth in East Oslo
Our group's decision to focus on minority youth in East Oslo was based on research that revealed this area had the lowest voter turnout among young people. By zeroing in on this demographic, we were able to design a solution that spoke directly to the needs and challenges of these communities, making political participation more accessible and meaningful.
Conclusion: Turning ideas into impact through cross-disciplinary collaboration
Velg & Vrak was a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Working with students from various fields, Project Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, allowed us to combine different perspectives and skills, which proved essential in creating a solution that was both practical and innovative. By focusing on minority youth in East Oslo, we addressed a critical gap in voter participation, and the project underscored the importance of tailoring solutions to the needs of specific audiences. Ultimately, the experience highlighted how thoughtful, user-centered design, driven by collaboration, can make a real impact in solving societal challenges.