Contemporary Design Issue - DCC 3084

Introduction

Contemporary Design Issue uses studio's approach; based on the belief that design is a form of persuasion for ideas about how the world should change for the better. A good design is a good idea for change. It recognizes latent potential and makes it visible. Through this module, I gained understanding that "Change may be individual or societal."

Background Information:

Design is a form of innoviation. Innovation is the introduction of a new idea or method of doing something or the application of an existing idea in a new way. Implicit in this proposition is the idea that in order to understand what would be a good design; we must also attempt to understand how a design could possibly be realized. Therefore a form of strategic research that articulates and advances a hypothesis (a design), a philosophical position (a reason), while uncovering facts and issues related to the situation the design is intended to address which revealing how and most importantly why it should be done.

Scenario

The main focus of this module is to develop the critical skills that are required for me as a designer to engage in a creative career that will respond to current practices and theories. Design is often mistaken in its purpose, and decoration is often perceived as desired outcome. This module will introduce the designer to a greater understanding of the creative processes required to compete on a local and global stage, and to be confident in offering your own academically critical perspectives on design processes and theories.

In this module, I will explore the role of the designer, as an agent of distruption and change in society's perception of design, and the role of design in forming our relationship to products and issues that shape the contemporary world.

Task 1: In the Name of Design (Week 1)

In this task I explored the following:

The meaning of the term "Contemporary Design."



What constitutes design?


How does design impact on society?


Identify a recent design solution, analyze on how it communicates, what is being communicated and whether it could be argued that it has worked.

Task 2: The role of Design (Week 2)

In this task I explored the following:

The role of a designer in the 21st Century.

Concept of user-centered design

Task 3: The Project (Week 3 - 5)

Born out of Necessity: Contemporary Design and the Myth of Problem Solving

In this task I am required to explore how designers are engaging in practices as varied as Brand, Design Solutions, Architecture, Filmmaking and Social Activism. Conduct research and propose an idea to be designed into Contemporary Design.