Design is Changing [Part 1]

Most designers see themselves as professionals who are considered a part of the vanguard of society. The history of design as a profession since the industrial revolution has contributed to this perception. We have come to see ourselves as instigators and purveyors of change within the modern world. As designers our ideas, we maintain, are of the cutting-edge variety, assisting in branding and business systems, visual communications, product design, fashion design, media and entertainment processes the environments we live in. Many designers see themselves as making considerable contributions to society through the creation of messages that are important for a myriad of reasons.

Although often misunderstood, the design profession has made a profound impact. Clearly, designers have played significant leadership roles. For example, in the urban environment, graphic design has been instrumental in transforming the landscape at least since the turn of the last century. Accompanying the proliferation of the automobile was the evolution of the roadside billboard. For better of worse these sprang up wherever roads were developed for the cars and trucks that evolved out of the need to transport people, produce etc… Advertising, and commercial art as it was once known as, became prevalent in the form of billboards, signage, and visual identity on all available surfaces. Look around, and if you have not already considered this – you are immersed in graphic design. This is a global phenomenon typical to both west and east.

This type of highly visible impact has led designers to feel quite rightly that they are instrumental in ongoing and important changes and development within society. The impression that we are leaders of such change is strong. Design continues to play important roles within society and in industry.

However, thinking of designers as leaders may be of a previous paradigm. In the past designers were asked to solve important, but essentially straightforward, and often relatively simple problems. The problems were more often than not recognizable and definable. Designers mostly work within a single discipline. One has traditionally defined oneself as a graphic designer, a fashion designer or product / industrial design, an interior designer or architectural designer. This is changing quickly - but many have not noticed the changing role and context of design. In the contemporary context, business and societal challenges are often far greater with very complex implications, consequences and motivations.

© Ian McArthur 2005