Could not agree more. Design is an important part in the quality of life. I am partners in a New Media Production company specializing in web & video. Believe me, I have learned more about design in the past year then most people learn in a lifetime. I am enamored with the amazing power of a well thought out, functionally strong design. It is just makes everything about a site better.

Just my 2 cents!

First off, this is a really great idea to stimulate conversation and ideas about the changing world and how our design can help, and in turn we will all benefit from smart design decisions.

I think your slides all get back to the central them of solving a problem. Whether it’s a website or skyscraper, if we make smart decisions and think about not only the cosmetic aspect of a project, but the impact we can have on the world, our designs will take the next step in this evolution.

This slide show is really amazing.
Once working in an isolated competitive fashion was the way business was conducted, today its about working in cooperation with others. Products are shaped by the public rather than than just execs, with heavily thought out ideas. Use in my opinion weights 10 times the amount as plain thought.

@ Chris
Much agreed, the elite is no more, the elite is the public now.

Wow, an awesome slide, and very thought-provoking.

But one question — it didn’t specifically deal with being “rapid.” Did it?

ari

[...] love this deck from Chris Wilson at Hester design: Rapid Change in Design: The Changing Landscape & New Rules [...]

Ari,

Thanks for contributing.

I guess that depends on how you define rapid. The factors referenced in the slideshow are definitely changing design and in most cases at a quick rate because many of the barriers have been broken down.

Your right though, the rapid part of the equation could be expounded upon. Great! We’ve already got some direction for Part 2.

Great presentation. Changes in society often start at the grass roots level, with government legislation hanging on the coat tails. As you point out, the western world is using the planet’s resources at an unsustainable rate. What can designers do? We might not be able to force clients to go green. However as major shapers of the media and visual environment, we can spread the message, make people understand the urgency and perhaps even make sustainability hip. Once the public demands sustainability, corporations will supply it.

At the speed in which things are changing, and how wide spread conversations reach… it’s interesting how it has effected the way trends and fads push through society. For the USA, It used to happen in waves, starting from the coasts and pushing inward. Now that the world is flat… your guess is as good as mine.

Chris,

Brilliant… I believe this project could fit many other disciplines. From “Rapid change in business” to… “Rapid chain in marketing… in advertising… in PR… etc.” (for those who are open to change, of course!). The inter-disciplinary frontiers are fading away and so are the fields of competences. In other words, your 3 rules could be extended to many other fields, I’m sure. And that makes them really insightful. I like the fact that you share these ideas with us here. This… is obviously the first step in collaborative thinking. The next step could be us trying to help you in your next design project. Right after that one… why not change the world? ; ) Let’s go for it.

Woops! Typo alert! - I meant rapid “CHANGE” in marketing… Sorry about that. Was probably thinking about breaking the CHAINS anyway! ; )

I think it boils down to knowing what our target audience needs. You noted to focus with people instead of on them and that’s what I’m getting at–we do need to define the audience so that we know their problems and how to solve them in a meaningful, effective and efficient way. It reminds me of the story behind 37 Signals’ Basecamp.

I personally am tired of the mentality of trying to make one product to fit everyone and then trying to convince everyone they need that product! I think the market is moving towards an expert mentality and people are willing to pay more to find an expert (person or product) to meet their needs. They realize the value.

SO,

1. Scratch below the surface: anticipate their needs
2. Authenticity: real people solving real problems
3. Collaborate WITH: people usually know what their problems are, we just need to get in touch with them and present some options we think would make great solutions and then step back and let them guide us towards the right one

Pretty cool!

Chris,

This topic has hit me so deeply, that for over a month I’ve been unable to comment on it. I’m still collating thoughts. I’m glad I hesitated, because my initial response was far too shallow to my current take. I’d feel like an idiot.

I still want to come back to it. The idea of the responsibility that designers have on the world is unbelievably deep. We are the core to every new innovation and idea. Design is the very beginning of building EVERYTHING created by man, whether its art, products, systems, communication or even lifestyles.

Anyway, until I’m able to really get my thoughts together on this topic (thanks for giving me something to spend hours of thought on) I ran across this lecture given by William McDonough, a guest lecturer at Stanford University. The title is “Balancing Economy, Equity, and Ecology Through Design”, and he gives his take on the fundamental importance that the designer has to the world. He even goes so far as to state that almost every problem the world has is a product of bad design, and that every problem the world has is an opportunity for someone to create a better design.

Enjoy!

http://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=2050

Aithene,
(the other Chris Wilson)

I agree, things are changing… but the market still is monopolise, maybe thats where the real fast change needs to be made as well as in the mayor egocentric corporations interested in profits instead of Human advance. I must say that plenty of designers work in the same way. the function of the ego needs to be redesign, then, we may change the views that real change can be redesigned.

[...] Rapid Change in Design (The Changing Landscape & New Rules for Design Project) is a side job my co-worker, Chris, put together in collaboration with our design shop, Hester Designs. I really dig his graphics and the viewpoint that the ultimate goal behind any design – graphic, architectural, web, etc – is to solve a problem. Not design for the sake of designing. Take a look-see and put in your two cents on the topic! [...]