Design has gradually developed from the original art of creating beauty into a powerful new way for people to interact with the world. What should we choose at the fork of design’s future development?
Design is the interface between technology and human, but there is little research on them. No deep understanding of human or social sciences, no deep understanding of science, mathematics or engineering – these are the basic pillars of technology.
Designers help achieve results, but they are rarely leaders. As a craft, design is an admirable profession, but its ambition and ability are limited.
Human centered design, at least in the way I define and practice it, has several basic principles at its core. The final product is to improve people’s quality of life who will use it.
It is action oriented, through repeated production, testing and observation, learning in practice.
When design thinking is applied to a wide range of activities, from urban structure to the design of medical, transportation or education systems, what is the role of traditional craft training?
Design Education
Is the current education model useful for future design?
The world will always need these skills, so these schools will continue to be proud of the achievements of their graduates. But they will represent the past.
People centered future design is people-oriented in solving major social problems.
Fork in the road: design as a craft or design as a way of thinking?
There are two different possibilities for design:
Technology and practice;
The way of thinking.
Designers are action oriented. Today’s academic circles have produced profound and thoughtful thinkers. Design in today’s world has produced profound and thoughtful doers. We need thinkers and doers, but just as we have to take two roads from the fork in the road, designers have to do as well as think: design philosophy is thinking while doing.
In the world of new tools, new materials and new manufacturing methods, design is a craft
Design is not only a craft but also a way of thinking
As the future of design unfolds, it may not be necessary to choose one of the two intersections when they are explored. Many people are used to these two roles. After all, many of today’s most outstanding design thinkers started out as professionally trained craftsmen.
Designers are action oriented. These core principles are the basis of all design, whether it is design as a process or as a way of thinking.
When you get to the fork in the road, go.