Something else than product design

Thanks to John Thackara I had the opportunity to attend the judging panel of DOTT07 Food Information System competition at RCA. We just finished our job: out of 32 entries we chose seven excellent candidates for the second phase. (No names at this point!)

Reviewing the work today showed clearly that answering a complex design problem with a traditional product-centered design approach leads unavoidably to solutions that rely on the existing systems of production, distribution, and consumption. Designers can help supermarkets to improve their communication about local food, no doubt. But as soon as it comes to introducing a new kind of service concept, a novel crediting system or an alternative distribution channel, the design work transforms into rethinking and reconceptualizing our current socio-economic systems and everyday practices – skills that an increasing number of designers need to learn.

This kind of focus is in the core of DOTT07 project: it addresses tremendously broad and challenging social issues by means of design. What I most like about it is the objective to engage schools, universities and the industry in very topical discussions, which try to reach beyond the existing operational frameworks, systems and ways of thinking. This challenges design students to reject the apparently innocent, non-political product-design mindset, think the bigger picture, and choose their own standpoint. A healthy thought excercise for anybody.

In the picture: Dorothy MacKenzie, Debra Solomon, Anthony Dunne, John Thackara, Ann Crawley, Ulla-Maaria Mutanen. Photo: Susan Hewer.

Comments

[ville]

if you happen to know, who is doing stuff like this in practice in finland, i would like to know.. i mean, looking beyond the product.

[Kevin Henry]

Hello Ulla:

I tried skyping you to chat. Our email server is down at the moment and I am unable to email anyone. I am anxious to speak with you about the symposium in April and get you involved via skype. Let me know if you are around today. Because I can't open my email right now I don't remember the times you would be available. Otherwise we can talk next week.

best,

Kevin

[Roger]

Hi Ulla,
We phoned when I was on holiday in the South of France in October last year. I would love to continue the conversation.

When I see the above, I immediately think about the use of QR Codes on local food in Japan.

I wrote several posts about it, mostly in german.
Here you can find the english post.

[Ulla-Maaria]

Hi Kevin, I'm online all week. Feel free to call whenever is suitable for you.