—How Co-Creation Leads to Tools That Actually Get Used
Even before we started The Anthill Group, we had already spent years designing systems for people—not just for processes. And if there’s one lesson we return to again and again, it’s this:
The best systems aren’t just beautifully designed. They’re deeply adopted.
In other words, clever features and slick interfaces mean very little if the people who use the system don’t feel seen, heard, or considered.
That’s why co-creation isn’t a buzzword for us. It’s a core practice—woven into everything we build.
Co-Creation Is Part of Our DNA
We know that real impact happens when people come together—not just to share feedback, but to shape the solution itself.
This is more than a belief. It’s become our blueprint.
We’ve used this approach across all kinds of projects—from reflective planning tools in education to operational systems for schools, to AI-powered platforms supporting families and neurodiverse learners.
And across them all, one thing remains true: when people help design the tools they use, those tools stick.
Walk with the People Who Know the Ground
We don’t start with wireframes. We start with conversations.
Before any “solutioning” begins, we spend time with the people at the heart of the work—often in small, focused groups. These might be frontline staff, school leaders, parents, therapists, or sometimes a mix of all four.
We ask:
- What’s hard about your day-to-day?
- What workarounds have you built?
- Show us your spreadsheets and trackers
- What do you wish existed—but doesn’t?
This stage isn’t just for gathering requirements. It’s for building trust. For noticing the real problems that don’t always show up in a brief or tender document.
Co-Design, Not Just Consultation
Once we understand the landscape, we start shaping solutions—together.
We bring early ideas to the table and invite our focus groups to sketch, critique, and play. These sessions are lively, generous, and filled with the kind of practical insights that only emerge when someone says, “That’s nice in theory, but here’s how it would actually go wrong in real life.”
Co-design sessions ensure we’re not just building what’s technically possible—we’re building what’s emotionally intelligent and practically useful.
Implementation That Feels Natural
Because our tools are shaped by the people who use them, rollout isn’t a battle. It’s a continuation of the process.
We’ve seen:
- Faster onboarding and fewer hiccups
- Better data and more engaged users
- A genuine sense of ownership from day one
When people recognise their fingerprints in the tools they use, they want to use them. That’s the magic of co-creation.
Feedback Loops, Not Dead Ends
Too often, feedback in systems design happens only after things go wrong. We take a different route.
From pilot to post-launch, we build in soft, sustainable feedback loops—whether it’s quick check-ins, embedded prompts, or updated focus groups after a term or two.
This keeps systems flexible, responsive, and alive. Just like the communities they serve.
Quietly Revolutionary
We often describe our work as “quietly revolutionary.” Because while our tools may look calm and clear on the surface, they’re built on radical care, collective wisdom, and years of practice.
Ultimately, for us it’s not about building fast. It’s about building with clarity, belonging, and change in mind. And it’s our focus groups—those humble, human-centred circles—that make all the difference.