Ever since the birth of OK Do, we have had issues with calling ourselves a design think tank – or design-whatever for that matter – but couldn’t find other compact enough words to describe what we do. The terms ‘design’ or ‘the world of design’ bring us anguish, but it’s hard to see a way out besides creating your own sphere within the terms.

Helsinki’s bold initiative for the World Design Capital year in 2012 is to treat design as the process of creating new practices rather than discrete objects. That’s a broad way to define design. But what is it about design that makes us sick?

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. For some reason, as a tool for self-expression design often lacks the functionality which originally distinguished the field from art. However, design typically doesn’t manage to present itself as critical or sensible like art either. 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 any other crises design has recently come across. To overcome this dilemma, Helsinki needs to create new tools and strategies for participation – and think beyond the word and the world of design while doing it. †

Text Anni Puolakka & Jenna Sutela / OK Do Illustration Rami Niemi

-

OK Do is a creative think-and-do tank working on emerging questions at the intersection of design, art and science. www.ok.do.eu

Tags:
anni puolakka, design, helsinki, jenna sutela, ok do, rami niemi, world design capital 2012