Thanks to my friend Solomon Bisker for the link to this BusinessWeek article, "Are Designers The Enemy of Design?" by Bruce Nussbaum.
Key Takeways
- Design is our future, our life. Not surprising. See 2007 Top Jobs.
"Over the past decade, design has evolved to become an articulated, formalized method of solving problems that can be widely used in business—and in civil society. Design’s focus on observing consumer/patient/student—human behavior, it’s emphasis on iteration and speed, its ability to construct, not destruct, its search for new options and opportunities, its ability to connect to powerful emotions, its optimism, made converts out of tough CEOs. AG Lafely at P&G, Immelt at GE and many others embraced design. Now Mayor Daley of Chicago and Mayor Livingstone of London are embracing it."
- Design democracy is the new norm. People want to participate in the designing of their own lives (examples cited: MySpace, iPod, blogs, fashion, Starbucks..). They crave customization, personalization, individualism, and freedom to do whatever they want. They want to feel special, be different, be in control of their lives.
- New age of creativity and collaboration. The world where everyone will need to work together (a world where MBAs meet artists meet medical doctors meet investment bankers meet engineers).
- Knowledge and skills are not enough. "The commoditization of manufacturing and knowledge and its outsourcing to Asia, left US companies unable to compete to make profits." Companies need real innovation.
Some Thoughts
Will we continue to live a life of constant change and chaos? How do we provide stability and sustainability? Don't people intuitively want to counter change? Or has modern day 21st-century society already involved to a state where people actually -desire- change?
I see this even in everyday life activities. I'm on vacation with my family in Europe until the end of this month. Just this morning, as we were about to eat lunch, I asked my younger brother Kevin to go to the kitchen for some freshly cooked fried rice. He responded saying, "No, Jing, we've been having rice for the past few days. Why not switch it up a bit? I want some fish fingers ..."
technorati tags: design, design democracy, future, change