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“Everything deserves beauty, no matter how serious it is.”

EPISODE 1947 min

Beyond Sticky Notes — Co-design

KA McKercher · Founder, Beyond Sticky Notes

KA McKercher

About this episode

In this episode, Matt and Tenille speak with KA McKercher, founder of Beyond Sticky Notes and author of the book of the same name. KA unpacks why good co-design is as much about beauty, choice and relationships as it is about methods — and why, most of the time, communities don't need a brand new project, but rather someone to notice, strengthen and support what's already there. It's a generous conversation about power, preparedness, endings, seasonality, and what it takes to do this work with care.

Key takeaways

  1. Start by noticing what's already there

    Communities are always practising design — to keep each other alive, for joy, for family. Most of the time we don't need to start something new; we need to notice, strengthen and support the work already happening.

  2. Purpose can hide power

    "Whose purpose is this?" is one of the most important upstream questions. Too often, projects service the status quo rather than disrupt it — and communities are handed questions they don't actually care about.

  3. Choice and access are non-negotiable

    Genuine choice — about whether to join a workshop, speak verbally, work in a group, or contribute nonverbally — is dignifying. If we don't build disability justice into co-design, we exclude whole bodies and minds from the start.

  4. Endings matter as much as beginnings

    The "co" in co-design carries an implicit promise. Good practice means staying with relationships beyond the output, and doing endings with dignity — including being honest when something isn't going to happen.

  5. Seasonality shapes good work

    There are geographic seasons (don't launch in December) and community seasons (grief, celebration, renewal). Matching the pace and timing of our work to these seasons makes it more humane and more effective.

  6. Urgency and patience, together

    Yes, there is great urgency in this work — and we also need great patience. Slowing down a little helps us damage ourselves and each other less along the way.

Topics covered

  • Co-design and co-production
  • Power and accountability
  • Choice and access
  • Disability justice
  • Facilitation practice
  • Community-led change
  • Seasonality

Resources mentioned