MICHELANGELO SCHOLAR PUBLISHING LIMITED

Journal of Design Service and Social Innovation

A scholarly platform covering various fields of design practice and design research

Latest Articles

ISSN: 2959-0078 (Print), 2959-0086 (Online)

Frequency: Quarterly (four issues per year)

The Journal of Design Service and Social Innovation (JDSSI) is an international, peer-reviewed, quarterly Gold Open Access journal dedicated to advancing research at the intersection of service design, social innovation, and interdisciplinary design studies.

Published by Michelangelo Scholar Publishing Limited (MSPL), JDSSI provides a global platform for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to explore how design can drive positive social change, foster sustainable development, and address complex societal challenges.

The journal welcomes high-quality original research articles, review papers, case studies, and perspective pieces that contribute to theoretical development and practical applications. Particular emphasis is placed on integrative and innovative cross-disciplinary research in areas such as service design, social innovation design, design for sustainability, design culture, design policy, and cross-cultural design studies. JDSSI especially encourages contributions that bridge Eastern and Western perspectives, fostering meaningful dialogue between diverse academic traditions and real-world practices. As a Gold Open Access journal, all articles are immediately and permanently freely accessible worldwide upon publication. Authors retain copyright, and articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). An Article Processing Charge (APC) of USD 500 applies to each accepted article. Waivers and discounts are available upon request and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

JDSSI is committed to rigorous double-blind peer review, high editorial standards, and equitable access to scholarly publishing. By integrating design thinking with social innovation, the journal aims to foster more inclusive, resilient, and human-centered societies. It is currently publishing Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026), its fourth volume since its founding.

Vol.4 2026

See Instructions for Authors for manuscript requirements.

Submitting Your Manuscript to the Journal System: JDSSI

Email: jdssi@michelangelo-scholar.com

January 15, 2026

Call for Articles

JDSSI Editorial Office Address: C401, School of Design, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Binhu District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, PRC

TEL: +86 186 1235 9672

PUBLISHED BY MICHELANGELO SCHOLAR PUBLISHING LIMITED

Our Core Themes: From Design Thinking to Social Thinking

Traditional Design Focus

Aesthetic and stylistic elements

Design Thinking Emergence

Human-centered problem solving

Participatory Design Practices

Collaborative creation processes

Social Thinking Integration

Design for a changing world

Complex Social Problems

Contemporary social challenges, such as unhealthy consumption and healthcare access, are multifaceted and resist simple solutions. Design thinking provides structured approaches for analyzing and addressing these complex issues.

The shift from traditional design methods to social-oriented design represents a fundamental reconceptualization of design’s role and purpose. By situating design within broader social contexts, practitioners can more effectively engage with “wicked problems” that defy conventional solutions.

This approach extends the role of design beyond the creation of aesthetic or functional products to a strategic tool for addressing intricate social challenges. Its participatory nature ensures that stakeholders act as active co-creators rather than passive recipients of design interventions. The Journal of Design Services & Social Innovation (JDSSI) highlights interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate diverse expertise to develop comprehensive responses to persistent social problems.