On Social Design
Featured Stories
‘In the Bubble: Designing in a Complex World‘ by Joana Bértholo
John Thackara’s tour de force on design innovation and more ethically and humanly efficient uses of technology is now out in French, Italian and Portuguese (from Brazil).
‘ Design Leadership for Problem Systems‘ by Peter Jones
Peter Jones talks about an emergent new ethos, one that stands on the shoulders of many who have long argued for systemic change.
‘DIY LOVE Guide‘ by Gustavo Machado
Special Happy Valentines wishes by designer Gustavo Machado!
‘Design matters, like never before.‘ by Kate Andrews
In a world changing faster than at any other time in human history, a dynamic and critical analysis of what is ‘good’ design could not be more urgently required.
‘Do good: be bad to yourself‘ by Ghazaleh Etezal
What is good?
Mar 2, 20093
Design Leadership for Problem Systems
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The design industry grew rapidly in the 20th century, by satisfying the massive and growing needs of consumer products, industrial systems, and a business ethos of growth, fueled by advertising. I observe a significant change occurring in the language and outlook of people in the design fields, especially apparent in my adopted home city of Toronto. I see a new ethos emerging in this new century, one that stands on the shoulders of many who have long argued for systemic change. Citizen … Read More
Feb 26, 20090
In the Bubble: Designing in a Complex World
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I first heard John Thackara speaking at an OpenTalk at the ExperimentaDesign Bienalle, in Lisbon. That was 2005, but ever since I’ve been a confessed follower of his writings. I bought In The Bubble that very same day and it became one of my cornerstone student books, from which I drew inspiration and a lot of questioning. I was one of those students who longed for the exercises to be a bit more about purpose and real problem-solving, and a little less … Read More
Feb 19, 20090
Do good: be bad to yourself
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That’s right, I mean it. If you want to do any good, you have to beat yourself up. It’s pretty easy though, just be a normal human being and strive for conquering the world. Why not aim to be the king, queen, prince or princess? To get to the top, you have to fight for it. What, you thought you could just climb the ladder, step by step, go higher and higher and you’ll get to the top of some roof and … Read More
Feb 14, 20093
DIY LOVE Guide
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There are basically four types of Love: a) Self Love (Self) Mental. Love who you are, what you do, and acceptance regarding your own limitations b) Love based on friendship between two people (Philos) Mental. Friendship is the foundation of a successful relationship and could eventually evolve to the next level… c) Love between you and your beloved one (Eros) Physical. No explanation/manual required, right? d) Unconditional Love (Agape) Spiritual. Highest type of Love we can achieve. It’s totally selfless, not including giving and taking like previous types. It’s about … Read More
Feb 10, 20095
Black Tuesday is the new pink.
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I worked in advertising for a few years so every now and again I peruse an industry pub to see what shop got what client some incredible ROI on some incredibly expensive campaign (I am not a geek I just play one on this blog). The other day a story caught my eye in AdWeek titled, “Depression Chic”. It was about how consumers are showing an interest in the Great Depression and how this trend is being leveraged as a successful marketing … Read More
Feb 5, 20090
Social Design at IM Magazine
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IM Magazine is a international online magazine that aspires to show the best things in the world in order to build a better world. It strives to be an inspirational encounter with different projects, movements, world-changers, videos, blogs, and a multitude of possibilities to be explored at their website. They shed light over the so called “bright side of the world”, which unfortunately too many times stays in the shade of the public knowledge and conventional media. This way, they help build … Read More
Jan 31, 20093
one life: make money to save yourself; make art to save the world
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I’m sitting here on my bed with my 3 year-old Apple Powerbook — one of the old ones that has no Intel chip or Super Drive. I’ve forgotten how old I’ve become. I was in school with so much drive for social design. I must admit though, my drive made me super aggressive. Not very attractive. Is it? I’m unemployed by choice at the moment. Oh my! Unemployed? That’s such a disgrace to my education and my strive for being great. What a failure, … Read More
Jan 21, 20093
Design matters, like never before.
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In a world changing faster than at any other time in human history, a dynamic and critical analysis of what is ‘good’ design could not be more urgently required. Whilst new communication technologies are offering revolutionary platforms for mass collaboration and opportunities to democratically converse within a global community (1), simultaneously the world faces unprecedented environmental, social, and economic crises (2). Are designers really capitalising on social media platforms and collaborative opportunities? What do these democratic shifts and global challenges mean, and … Read More
Jan 13, 20091
The least a designer can do: about codes and deontology
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In his new book Quantum Shift in the Global Brain (1), systems theorist and twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize Ervin Laszlo, suggests a practicable behavioural code derived from an ecological and planetary ethics. He ascribes this code a ceiling and a floor, or a maximum and a minimum code, i.e., what one should be doing ideally, and the least one can do. The maximum code can be formulated as: Act so as to further the evolution of a humanly favourable dynamic … Read More
Jan 7, 20091
Love, violence and mastering the joy of design
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Design. Oh design how I love you. I hate you so much because my love for you makes me hate myself. I love being a designer but I hate design. I love designing but I hate talking about it. I love talking but I hate people who talk so much. I hate designers but I love to master designing. I am a designer, I love people. I am a designer, I am people. I am passionate and violent, I make and destroy.