Ever since starting OK Do, we’ve had issues with calling ourselves a design think tank – or design-whatever for that matter – but didn’t manage to find other compact enough words to describe what we do. We’re anguished by the word ‘design’ as well as the world of design, yet see no other way out than creating our own sphere within it. Encouraged by Helsinki’s bold initiative for the World Design Capital year 2012 to treat design as the production of new forms of practice rather than discrete objects, we decided to let it all out. Our article for We Are Helsinki magazine‘s design issue aims to map out the aspects that made us sick with design.
The infinity of design
“Design is the planning that lays the basis for the making of every object or system. It can be used both as a noun and as a verb and, in a broader way, it means applied arts and engineering.” Wikipedia nails it – design includes way too many things. It can refer to the planning process or to the final solution, and the fields of application as well as the forms that the end results may take are infinite. Some designers define their area of expertise very carefully whereas others assume the role of a generalist. In the latter case, evaluation of the design outcomes becomes harder, and there’s a distinct danger of a professional identity crisis. On the other hand, who came up with the idea to separate fields like design, art and science to begin with? The idea of designers being able to escape the world of design into other areas of life and work is actually very interesting.
Post-materialist design
The contemporary design industry is built on post-materialist needs (belonging, esteem, and aesthetic and intellectual satisfaction) instead of material needs (hunger, thirst and physical security) immediately linked with survival. Design for self-expression often lacks the functionality which originally distinguished the field from art. However, this kind of design is typically also missing the criticism that art provides. Instead of asking questions, design usually answers them, at least those asked by the market. Sometimes it feels like designers wishing to steer clear from making a profit aren’t considered designers at all.
Open design
Helsinki’s strategy for the World Design Capital year is to “embed design in life”, involving citizens in designing a better city. Opening up the field of design for critical discussion among the common public, as well as among professionals from other fields, could move the focus away from the glossy surface of the design industry. Yet, in practice, sharing the actual act of designing with the public is no less problematic than other crises design has recently come across. To overcome this dilemma, Helsinki needs to create intelligent tools and strategies for participation – and think beyond the word and the world of design while doing it.