Design dissolving in meaning; The manifesto.

A manifesto about design practices in the 21st century.

The aim of design is to enhance the quality of life.

The ability to sustain humans on this planet is directly related to our capacity of reflection: We need to reflect upon our capacities, our abilities and our skills. These skills must incorporate: hearing (in order to really understand), creating (meaningful innovations) and delivering (inspiring solutions). The designer, through his work, can help establish a dynamic balance. The designer or adventurer whilst reading this manifesto should also understand that eco-materials, bio-degradability or recycling objects, are but a small part of the puzzle and even in some cases those practices could be counter-productive. These approaches could offer a fake exit or just affect the symptom and not the cause.

Design dissolving in meaning believes in the love for life

The designer must provide a platform, object or system that helps the individuals generate stories, create the narrative and have experiences. The experiences we live are the ones that remain within us and sometimes even remain after we are gone.

The meaning of the things we design is provided by the individual not the designer.

Use design as a powerful conduct for change. The skills of the designers should adapt to the post-industrial era. The designer has to create the vision, connect the actors and catalyze a cohesive future.

The practices of the designer of the present and the years to come should integrate the next seven points; Molecular Wisdom, Majestic Meaning, Cultural Vitality, Technovation, Environmental Protection, Social Equity and a Healthy Economy.

Molecular Wisdom. What we are and how we use our virtues, should be based on our capacity to reflect. Why are you designing that object in particular? Consider other approaches to the problem at hand.

Majestic Meaning. It is imperative to make connections where the audience can relate to their own life and finish the story or complete the experience. Values and meaning run deeper than emotions and require care and attention to detail. Avoid fast trends. Build an artifact or service capable of gracefully growing old with the host.

Cultural Vitality. Design thinking can help connect people with their roots. Be local. Create messages that can change attitudes and redefine prosperity. How do communities manifest identity?

Technovation. Technology is a medium rather than an end. How can we produce technology subjects instead of technology consumer objects? Rethink innovation. An idea, a change or an improvement is only an innovation when it is put to use, is accepted by users and effectively causes a social or commercial reorganization. saying NO to planned obsolescence.

Environmental Protection. Deliver more value with less material and energy use. Eliminate waste, avoid toxic materials or processes. Locate actions that affects natural systems, including carbon footprint, climate change, preservation and restoration of natural resources.

Social Equity. Design based on principles of inclusion, equality and empathy. Nobody is obliged to be a genius but everybody is obliged to participate. Design simple design.

Circular Economy. Invent new economic and business models appropriate for 21st century realities. Design thinking in the whole picture, think in cycles. The artifact has to be easy to maintain. Products designed to have secondary usages after their primary function has lapsed can add value, but products closing the loop could stay forever.

Design dissolving meaning is a message based on the sustainability journey it is meant as an action guide and as an enhancer of designer practices. [-_+]

Nota: Pronto estara en español.