Participatory Design is an approach to engage communities in action-research, meaning that the design work is to frame collaborations with communities, and lead processes that help understand social realities at the local level through creative forms of storytelling. At the same time, the designer creates the conditions for communities to design tools that contribute to their wellbeing.

In Catalina’s work, these tools are services (hence her expertise in Service Design), for topics related to gender, health equity, and internet policy.

Typical outcomes of service and participatory design include apps, digital interactions and pedagogies.

​This work often requires complementary skills in group facilitation, graphic and information design.