Abstract

The communication of science is an essential facet of society. However, connections between scientists and the general public are difficult to generate. Furthermore, traditional communication formats do not offer the possibility of assessing real understanding of complex concepts by society. This research presents a case study aimed at evaluating the communication of scientific knowledge through design methodologies. For this purpose, we designed and carried out a participatory workshop for non-scientists involving graphene—a highly attractive scientific topic presently. The discipline of design provided the necessary methods and tools to generate a dynamic experience that fostered the communication of graphene, its properties, and its applications. The results revealed that design methodologies were a suitable tool for achieving a successful transfer of scientific knowledge. Participants were satisfied with the experience and the methodologies enhanced interest, motivation, participation, and understanding. This case study aims to be an example of how design methodologies can transmit science effectively. We encourage other designers to apply the methods presented in this paper in other scientific fields.