Resilience Design Lab (rLab)

Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD University), Toronto, Ontario
What the facility does

Applies system and design thinking strategies to strengthen the resilience of organizations and communities; supports visualization of complex data for purposes of decision making

Areas of expertise

The Resilience Design Lab (rLab) is one of the research labs affiliated with the Strategic Foresight and Innovation Masters program at OCAD University in Toronto. rLab takes a holistic approach to strengthening the resilience of organizations and communities. It aspires at supporting intrapreneurs (those working to bring change from the inside) with new tools and methods optimized for their needs. The Lab leverages tools such as systems and design thinking, Strategic Foresight and the Megamap process for visualizing of complex information aimed at decision support. We specialize in resilient planning for governments and organizations.

Research services
  • Workshops on the concepts and tools of resilient planning
  • Visualization of complex data to support decision making (Megamap process)
  • Guided application of serious play in order to influence change in organizational behavior
  • Assessment of current business models and new models development
Sectors of application
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Information and communication technologies and media
  • Management and business related services
  • Policy and governance
Equipment Function
Workshop and meeting rooms, including online meeting streaming capability
  • Configurable spaces to be used for large workshops or small team sessions
  • Online streaming through Zoom.us
  • Full-wall white boards, mobile whiteboards, blackboards and easels
Adobe Creative Cloud 2019 Full suite of Adobe products for 2D and 3D graphic design used in the creation of Megamaps and infographics
NEC Data Projector VT590 Projectors - Audio/visual equipment to support collaborative design process
NEC K132819 Pull-down portable screens
Canon Rebel Txi Digital SLR camera
Canon Rebel XS Digital SLR camera
Manfrotto 190 XPROP Tripods
Edirol MA-15D Speakers
Sennheiser EW100 Gw Wireless microphones
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Regional Municipality of Peel & Peel Climate Alliance
  • Canadian Heritage
  • Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Title URL
Asian Carp Project Infographics & Megamap http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/2661/
Synthesizing and visualizing climate vulnerability assessments data for the Region of Peel Megamap http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/2662/
Living City Report Card Megamap http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/2663/