Change Design
Design Assembly writer Elise Sterback says design is a good modus operandi for working towards social change.
"Designers don’t necessarily need to join movements to make a difference."
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Karl Marx criticised philosophers for merely interpreting the world in various ways rather than changing it. Urban designers and architects of the modern era such as Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright took up this criticism in relation to design, suggesting that designers should not just aim to ornament the world, but to change it for the better.
Today there are many movements within the industry that use design for social change, some of which were mentioned by Jade Tang at the last Design Assembly. These are mainly examples of opportunities where designers can donate their skills to further a cause. Design is a good modus operandi for working towards social change because it is fundamental to design that concepts, emotions and messages are presented to an audience, and for that reason, designers are trained to be effective communicators.
But designers have a more general and more subtle way to bring about change through their work. Every brief can be approached with an analytical and critically active perspective. Whether the project is purely commercial or for not-for-profit, designers always have an opportunity to bring an element of social awareness to what they do and express it in a way that increases awareness in others.
The ecological economist, Herman Daly, sees design as having a major role to play towards resolving issues related to climate change. He links environmental degradation to society’s high levels of consumption; the endless production, use and waste of products. He believes the best way to become sustainable is to use design to qualitatively improve products and reduce the levels of production. This way, nations can still grow and prosper, GDP will increase, but fewer resources will be used and less waste will occur; especially if design can help to make products more durable and multi-functional.
Designers don’t necessarily need to join movements to make a difference. Outside of work, a designer can initiate individual projects which could stand to make a huge impact through their sheer level of ingenuity. Industrial designer Oliver Neuland presented his design for a public transport system at the Auckland Pecha Kucha night in May. His work received a standing ovation from the crowd, who appreciated not only the visual appeal of the design but recognised the significance it would have for the community if it were to be accepted.
As a designer you have a unique set of skills that have the potential to bring about change in society and solve pressing problems. How do you feel you can apply greater awareness and ethical concern to your practice (even in small ways like the amount of paper or the stock you use)? If you don’t feel like you can interpret work briefs in ways that utilise these skills comprehensively, why not write your own brief from time to time?
Oliver Neuland’s transport design on Campbell Live
Herman Daly article – ‘Economics in a Full World’
Courtesy of Design Assembly / conversations on graphic design.
