The Michigan Justice for All (JFA) Commission set out on an ambitious goal to bring a diverse range of stakeholders - judges, tenant advocates, and lawyers who represent landlords- together to simplify and streamline court processes to help both landlords and tenants more easily navigate, understand, and use courts to address their legal problems.
Because the group members were extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their respective roles in the eviction journey, the Commission sought outside help to create a service blueprint detailing the end-to-end experience of eviction and how the courts interact with both the tenant and the landlord. Joined by fellow designer/researcher, Bex Michelson, we met with the entire workgroup multiple times, held smaller one-on-one workshops for deep dives, and iterated on the map via asynchronous feedback. In parallel, the workgroup was divided into additional subgroups who crafted written findings and recommendations using our blueprint as a roadmap to ensure their work would be holistic.
Because the group members were extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their respective roles in the eviction journey, the Commission sought outside help to create a service blueprint detailing the end-to-end experience of eviction and how the courts interact with both the tenant and the landlord. Joined by fellow designer/researcher, Bex Michelson, we met with the entire workgroup multiple times, held smaller one-on-one workshops for deep dives, and iterated on the map via asynchronous feedback. In parallel, the workgroup was divided into additional subgroups who crafted written findings and recommendations using our blueprint as a roadmap to ensure their work would be holistic.
“I really appreciate all the work and am enjoying the process of watching it come together.”
— Karen Tjapkes from Legal Aid of Western Michigan reacting to the collaborative mapping
— Karen Tjapkes from Legal Aid of Western Michigan reacting to the collaborative mapping
Once all subgroups drafted their recommendations for how to improve summary proceedings, the Commission wanted to bring these findings together in one final report. I was initially brought to reimagine our complex service blueprint , used to facilitate and organize collaborative discussion, into a digestible and simplified map of the eviction process. With time, I helped the Commission design the entire final report layout and visualize the data analysis. I also ensured the final file was an accessible pdf to ensure it was legible by a range of community members.
