Systems Oriented Design

The main mission of SOD is to help designers to become better at dealing with very complex problems. Complex problems are described as problem fields, networks of problems, wicked problems and problematiques.

The Methodology and Practice of Systems Oriented Design – Birger Sevaldson’s book for designers in the widest sense, including any individual or organisation that is involved in change processes.

There are opportunities to collaborate with the Master’s Studio at the Oslo School of Architecture.

Systems resources of note: The list was started in 2009 and is updated occasionally.

If your project corresponds to all or most of the core parameters, you are welcome to reference it as a SOD project.

The idea of systemic design as a pluralistic field opens the possibilities to several different approaches to systemic design that are not only allowed but encouraged.

Systemic design spans design practice and thinking to systems practice and thinking. SOD is a bit closer to design practice.

With a look to the future, there are huge needs for this kind of design competence – to enable sustainable solutions for businesses, organizations and in policymaking.

The Democracy Files is a resource of collected articles supporting our belief that design can play a crucial role in democracy.

We need to make several small shifts in our understanding to truly grasp systems thinking in general and to start to become systemic designers.