Research,

made real.

Welcome to the CREATEd Co-Design Toolkit!

Study findings aren't made to sit on a shelf. We're on a mission to move education research into the hands of practitioners through user-centered resource design. Together, we can help what is learned become what is done.

Meet the Toolkit

What is Co-Design?

A process for teams

Collaborative design, or “co-design”, is an approach to finding solutions to complex problems by gathering a group of people working together with diverse perspectives.

Learn about Co-Design

The Co-Design Process

ASSETS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 OPPORTUNITIES

Organize

Understand

Focus & Scope

Plan & Partner

Prototype

Test & Refine

Develop & Design

Engage & Disseminate

Evaluate

PHASE 1:

Prepare

PHASE 2:

Ideate &
Negotiate

PHASE 3:

Prototype &
Refine

PHASE 4:

Mobilize

Ideate & Negotiate

During the IDEATE & NEGOTIATE phase, the team moves from understanding to envisioning and planning. Stage 2 focuses on identifying audiences, setting goals, and selecting a product idea through empathic, equity-centered decision-making. Stage 3 transitions to planning and developing content. Together, these stages clarify what will be created and how, aligning team efforts for the design and development work ahead.

STAGE 2:

Focus & Scope

Stage 2

STAGE 3:

Plan & Partner

Stage 3

Prepare

The PREPARE phase establishes the foundation for co-design. Stage 0 focuses on clarifying the entry point, selecting research, defining the problem, and building a diverse team. Stage 1 engages the team in understanding and critiquing the research, surfacing key messages and implications. Together, these stages orient the team, strengthen relationships, and ensure readiness for collaborative, equity-centered design work.

STAGE 0:

Organize

Stage 0

STAGE 1:

Understand

Stage 1

Mobilize

During the MOBILIZE phase, the team ensures the product reaches its intended audience and its impact is understood. Stage 7 focuses on engagement and dissemination—crafting messages, strategies, and outreach plans with equity at the center. Stage 8 evaluates the product in terms of reach, impact or other outcomes of interest to the team, using meaningful measures and stakeholder reflection to assess success and guide future work. Together, these stages support implementation and celebrate collaborative achievement.

STAGE 7:

Engage & Disseminate

Stage 7

STAGE 8:

Evaluate

Stage 8

Prototype & Refine

This phase centers on developing and refining the product. Stage 4 initiates prototyping—drafting content and designing materials aligned with earlier decisions and plans. Stage 5 gathers feedback from stakeholders to assess usability, relevance, and equity. Stage 6 incorporates that feedback to revise and strengthen the product. Together, these stages ensure the resource is responsive to user needs, well-designed, and ready for broader engagement.

STAGE 4:

Prototype

Stage 4

STAGE 5:

Test & Refine

Stage 5

STAGE 6:

Develop & Design

A work in process

We've used the Co-Design Process with diverse teams of researchers, designers, educators, practitioners, and communications professionals. Their products make us proud!

View Sample Projects