Thais Costa
Butterfly Works Community
The Butterfly Works community is a global network of creative thinkers and makers who use design and innovation to address social challenges. This community of practice is envisioned and initiated by Butterfly Works and Design Innovation Group. The community’s core mission is to explore the power of cross-cultural collaboration and design thinking methodologies for creating a more sustainable and fair society.
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Focused on social innovation, the community prioritises diversity and inclusion, with a shared belief in the transformative power of collaboration. The purpose of the community is to expand design knowledge across cultures and to support member's growth as design professionals, valuing the creative potential that emerges from bringing together different perspectives, cultures, and worldviews.
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My Role:
As the project lead and design researcher for the Butterfly Works community, I was responsible for overseeing the community's development, from strategic planning to execution. I led the process of redesigning the community by conducting user research, gathering insights, and analyzing feedback to enhance engagement and ensure the community met the needs of its members.
Company/ partners
Output
Designing a global community of designers for cross-cultural collaborations.
Location
Global
Date
2020 - 2024
The design challenge
Initially hosted on a platform called Mighty Networks, the community aimed to bring together designers working for social impact to exchange knowledge and collaborate. Over time, more than 400 members joined, contributing to a rich exchange of ideas and experiences.
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While the initial version of the community successfully brought together a diverse group of members, engagement and commitment levels eventually became a challenge. Over the course of three to four years, the community struggled with maintaining active participation and connection. In response, we conducted user research to gain valuable insights into the factors impacting engagement and to understand members' needs and expectations. This research informed the decision to redesign the community for better interaction and collaboration.
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The redesign focused on strategically refining the membership base and the platform. We decided to take a more targeted approach by inviting only those who were truly committed and interested in contributing meaningfully to the community. The intention was to cultivate a smaller, more dedicated group that would engage at a higher level. This strategic shift also included moving the community to LinkedIn, a platform better suited for fostering professional connections and facilitating ongoing discussions.
The outcome
The re-designed Butterfly Works community now thrives on LinkedIn as a closed, invite-only group. This platform enables members to interact, share knowledge, and exchange ideas, all while keeping the space exclusive and focused. The community’s members benefit from engaging in live discussions, learning from each other’s professional experiences, and tapping into collective knowledge. LinkedIn’s structure allows for deeper connections and encourages meaningful professional networking among members from diverse backgrounds.
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To complement the online platform, biweekly online meetups are organized on relevant topics to further enhance knowledge sharing and professional development. These meetups also provide an opportunity for members to host their own discussions, ensuring that the topics remain relevant to their industries and areas of expertise. Through this blend of structured and organic exchange, the community continues to foster a dynamic environment where members actively collaborate, learn, and contribute to social design innovation globally.