Week 2 - Curriculum in Art Ed

DESIGN

Design. I believe every object we engage with has been designed – from manmade to objects of nature—everything has a design.  In this chapter, Pink defines design as “The activity of creating solutions.”  He states part of the purpose of design is to “serve our needs and give meaning to our lives.” 

            Pink described design as a combination of utility and significance.  “Utility is akin to L-Directed Thinking; significance is akin to R-Directed Thinking.  And, as with those two thinking styles, today utility has become widespread, inexpensive, and relatively easy to achieve—which has increased the value of significance.  In the Conceptual Age, design is not more accessible, crucial for most modern business, and more people are developing a design sensibility.  These three developments of design make it an aptitude of high-demand and essential for success. 

            Design, now more than ever, plays a large role in the business world.  “The Democratization of design has altered the competitive logic of business.”  Today, design serves as a competitive edge between businesses.  The former chairman of Sony, Norio Ohga, states, “Design is the only thing that differentiates one product from another in the market place.”

            “Design has also become an essential aptitude because of the quickened metabolism of commerce.  Today’s products make the journey from L-Directed utility to R-Directed significance in the blink of an eye.”  Pink gives the example of cell phones.  Less than a decade ago cell phones were a luxury item for the few.  Now cell phones are “An accessorized expression of individuality for many.  They’ve morphed from “logical devices… to “emotional devices.”

            Pink concludes, “Good design, now more accessible and affordable than ever, also offers us a chance to bring pleasure, meaning, and beauty to out lives.  But most important, cultivating a design sensibility can make our small planet a better place for us all.”

            The importance of design has created a high-demand for skilled designers.  However, not only do designers have to be skilled in their craft, they also have to be able to collaborate with a team and answer to a client.  At times, the work of design is very different than traditional fine art, in that creative control often belongs to someone else other than the artist/designer.  I would find answering to another person, who most likely is not an artist or designer, to be very challenging.  At what point does an artist sacrifice artistic integrity?  Is artistic integrity a valid idea?  I’m not quite sure of the answer.