In contemplating and re-affirming my attitude that design has ramifications - social, environmental and political it was refreshing to stumble upon
Social Design Notes.
Print Magazine said this:
“Most designers agree, even insist, that design is more than clever imagery selling goods and services — it also influences how societies function. Social Design Notes, a remarkably informed and highly useful blog edited by John Emerson, explores design’s sociopolitical power and inspiration. A New York activist and designer who oversaw Web sites for Amnesty International USA and Human Rights Watch, Emerson launched his blog is 2002 as a ‘bridge between design activism — to push designers to think about acting in the public interest and to help activists see how design can facilitate their campaigns.’ Emerson explores how design is used to support and challenge the status quo, posting one historical note about the ‘Black Panther Coloring Book’ created by the FBI during the civil-right movement, and another about South Africa’s use of the comic book to prepare its citizens for their first election. Emerson also discusses the built environment, praising former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani for having championed design to improve the lives of the disabled. And Social Design Notes’ Resource page contains tools — such as free stock photos — designed to convert readers into true reformers.”
Cool.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Sunday, August 28, 2005
"Fresh perspectives..."
Cheskin, the Design Research Agency has a great blog with very relevant and interesting material about several areas of interest to designers and innovators, including China , Design & Innovation , Trends and Youth ...All in all, lots to read.
Spotted...
A diverse range of links spotted of late>>
Trend Awareness for the designer and other potential innovators CREAX Trends Portal , Blogs>> Brand Driven Innovation , Creative Generalist , Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching , Notcot , Well deserved good news for the guys... Interest in CPH127 :-) , Something for the designers Karin's Style Blog >> New York , It could happen ;-)... Living in Bangkok , A very useful overview on collaboration Boxes and Arrows: Collaboration Sessions: How to lead Multidisciplinary teams
Trend Awareness for the designer and other potential innovators CREAX Trends Portal , Blogs>> Brand Driven Innovation , Creative Generalist , Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching , Notcot , Well deserved good news for the guys... Interest in CPH127 :-) , Something for the designers Karin's Style Blog >> New York , It could happen ;-)... Living in Bangkok , A very useful overview on collaboration Boxes and Arrows: Collaboration Sessions: How to lead Multidisciplinary teams
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Shanghai Calling
City fo Sound is a great blog at the above link...Some really nice observations about contemporary Shanghai. Also a few links to work I really admire alot.
The work of Sze Tsung Leong is truly great and inspires me. If we are talking innovation then these images tell a story we should all be reading :) Powerful stuff!
I loved this reference to Koolhaas on Chinese cities:
"The Chinese city is for me a city that has built up a lot of volume in a very short time, which therefore doesn't have the slowness that is a condition for a traditional sedimentation of a city, which for us is still the model for authenticity. Beyond a certain speed of construction that kind of authenticity is inevitably sacrificed, even if you build everything out of stone and authentic materials, and that's a kind of irony. For instance, if you look at the color of the stone of the new Berlin, it's the color of all the worst plastics that were produced in East Germany in the 1960s. It's kind of a weird color of pink, a weird color of light yellow ..., they're artificial. There is no escaping the artificial in the new architecture, and certainly not in large amounts of architecture being generated at the same time."
I never tired of the above view from our apartment in Shanghai. For me it formed an endlessly fascinating - like Sze Tsung Leong's pictures of destruction/creation/transformation.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
The dangers of blogging?
We live in conservative times - as opposed to interesting ones I suppose...I'm not sure if readers will be able to get to the link so I quote in full from the Sydney Morning Herald [16/8/2005]:
Blogging's immediate impact doesn't add up for Deloitte
By Rob O'Neill
August 16, 2005
Big four accounting firm Deloitte has put corporate blogging on the back-burner following robust internal discussions about the company's online strategies.
A proposal to start corporate blogging on leadership issues was put forward by the firm's director of digital marketing and communications, Ryf Quail. But senior partners were concerned about legally protecting the firm, which is bound by a partnership structure.
Mr Quail says he started the debate to stimulate discussion about Deloitte's online future. Mr Quail, who came out of Deloitte's web development arm, Eclipse, says that with people such as Rupert Murdoch talking about blogs, he decided to formulate a plan to spruik Deloitte's message.
"The big technology companies were using them but there was not a lot of activity in the consultancy space," Mr Quail says.
He describes himself as an "extreme outlier" in favour of blogging at Deloitte.
He made his proposal and the rest of the firm then became involved in the discussion.
Chief marketing officer David Redhill says he recognised the tension between a professional services firm pushing the boundaries and the huge responsibility the firm has to be discreet about its clients.
As the debate escalated, he says he and others became concerned the firm could be opening a can without knowing "what was at the bottom of it".
He was aware of blogs getting people in professional positions into a lot of trouble. "Our holding pattern should be risk-averse and watching how it develops," Mr Redhill says.
The concern is that once a post is made to a blog, it is there forever.
Mr Quail says blogs have to be immediate. If the content had to go through a risk assessment system, immediacy would be lost, with content being posted weeks after it was written.
"In a corporate sense, the more racy and immediate a blog, the less you can allow it to speak for your corporation," Mr Redhill says. "There's a lot of potential power, but risk-managing a blog seems to me to be a contradiction in terms."
Partnerships are subject to many regulatory regimes. Individual views cannot hold sway over corporate policy.
"I don't want one partner speaking on behalf of a firm I'm part-owner of," Mr Redhill says.
There are a lot of specialisations within such a firm and public commentary should be left to those with that expertise, he says.
Blogging's immediate impact doesn't add up for Deloitte
By Rob O'Neill
August 16, 2005
Big four accounting firm Deloitte has put corporate blogging on the back-burner following robust internal discussions about the company's online strategies.
A proposal to start corporate blogging on leadership issues was put forward by the firm's director of digital marketing and communications, Ryf Quail. But senior partners were concerned about legally protecting the firm, which is bound by a partnership structure.
Mr Quail says he started the debate to stimulate discussion about Deloitte's online future. Mr Quail, who came out of Deloitte's web development arm, Eclipse, says that with people such as Rupert Murdoch talking about blogs, he decided to formulate a plan to spruik Deloitte's message.
"The big technology companies were using them but there was not a lot of activity in the consultancy space," Mr Quail says.
He describes himself as an "extreme outlier" in favour of blogging at Deloitte.
He made his proposal and the rest of the firm then became involved in the discussion.
Chief marketing officer David Redhill says he recognised the tension between a professional services firm pushing the boundaries and the huge responsibility the firm has to be discreet about its clients.
As the debate escalated, he says he and others became concerned the firm could be opening a can without knowing "what was at the bottom of it".
He was aware of blogs getting people in professional positions into a lot of trouble. "Our holding pattern should be risk-averse and watching how it develops," Mr Redhill says.
The concern is that once a post is made to a blog, it is there forever.
Mr Quail says blogs have to be immediate. If the content had to go through a risk assessment system, immediacy would be lost, with content being posted weeks after it was written.
"In a corporate sense, the more racy and immediate a blog, the less you can allow it to speak for your corporation," Mr Redhill says. "There's a lot of potential power, but risk-managing a blog seems to me to be a contradiction in terms."
Partnerships are subject to many regulatory regimes. Individual views cannot hold sway over corporate policy.
"I don't want one partner speaking on behalf of a firm I'm part-owner of," Mr Redhill says.
There are a lot of specialisations within such a firm and public commentary should be left to those with that expertise, he says.
Breaking down experiences
I have a friend who always says "Break it down buddy!" when asking someone to examine a situation...
By empathising with the people who will be using a service to the extent that we look at the whole context of that use, we can gain insight into the experience.
It is actually something I have been coming to terms with for some time now in relationship to my interests [and consequent projects] in the area of developing e-education within the context of design studies. In 2000 I was asking the question "What would kids in China make of the resources we are developing?"
I know the answer to that now because I went to China to find out.They want experiences not interfaces...
Now in 2005 I'm asking why is the user buying this product/service? What is their life like? How do people integrate this product into their life? How does it feel to use this service?
By empathising with the people who will be using a service to the extent that we look at the whole context of that use, we can gain insight into the experience.
It is actually something I have been coming to terms with for some time now in relationship to my interests [and consequent projects] in the area of developing e-education within the context of design studies. In 2000 I was asking the question "What would kids in China make of the resources we are developing?"
I know the answer to that now because I went to China to find out.They want experiences not interfaces...
Now in 2005 I'm asking why is the user buying this product/service? What is their life like? How do people integrate this product into their life? How does it feel to use this service?
UX applied to services
From the website of the Design Management Institute
this article applies thinking to the UX involved in product design. I see application for these strategies across the Service Design process as well. People "use" services. I'm looking for more material about the design of services so if you see any please let me know.
Viewpoints - Designing From the User’s Experience
By Peter H. Jones, Redesign Research
In summary, several guidelines are suggested from these points:
*
Consider whether UX makes sense in your environment and organization. Ask designers and researchers what they know of the concept, and what it means to your product design process.
*
Expand your concept of “user” to embrace the work practices and lifestyles of the customer for whom you are designing products. Invest in research that reveals their authentic experience. Use rapid ethnography, field research, and in-depth onsite evaluations to understand the context of work or engagement within which your product will be adopted.
*
Use research methods that fit your projects and organizations. Review the methods used by innovation leaders in your industry to advance your UX research practices. Select from these to inform product decisions during the design process (use brief, iterative phases or parallel customer research if necessary to manage scheduling).
*
Find ways to (simply) communicate the in-depth discoveries about your users and communities. Draw up personas (profiles), workflow scenarios, and rich pictures from your research findings. Build a user experience knowledge base that contributes to new design thinking from your team “living with” representations drawn from real user experience.
*
When researching user experience, consider all the touchpoints and interactions surrounding the product, including its initial discovery, the initial interpretations about its use, and the impact of brand on experience and perception. Learn about the full lifecycle of customer experience - how the product will be found, shared, reused, or returned to over time.
this article applies thinking to the UX involved in product design. I see application for these strategies across the Service Design process as well. People "use" services. I'm looking for more material about the design of services so if you see any please let me know.
Viewpoints - Designing From the User’s Experience
By Peter H. Jones, Redesign Research
In summary, several guidelines are suggested from these points:
*
Consider whether UX makes sense in your environment and organization. Ask designers and researchers what they know of the concept, and what it means to your product design process.
*
Expand your concept of “user” to embrace the work practices and lifestyles of the customer for whom you are designing products. Invest in research that reveals their authentic experience. Use rapid ethnography, field research, and in-depth onsite evaluations to understand the context of work or engagement within which your product will be adopted.
*
Use research methods that fit your projects and organizations. Review the methods used by innovation leaders in your industry to advance your UX research practices. Select from these to inform product decisions during the design process (use brief, iterative phases or parallel customer research if necessary to manage scheduling).
*
Find ways to (simply) communicate the in-depth discoveries about your users and communities. Draw up personas (profiles), workflow scenarios, and rich pictures from your research findings. Build a user experience knowledge base that contributes to new design thinking from your team “living with” representations drawn from real user experience.
*
When researching user experience, consider all the touchpoints and interactions surrounding the product, including its initial discovery, the initial interpretations about its use, and the impact of brand on experience and perception. Learn about the full lifecycle of customer experience - how the product will be found, shared, reused, or returned to over time.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Defining designers
For many designers the whole idea of being put in a box and categorised is not one we like to spend much time on...Now we don't have to - it's been done for us by the US Department of Labor.
It is a comprehensive breakdown. An excellent resource for students looking into professional practice statistics and industry structures etc...
It is a comprehensive breakdown. An excellent resource for students looking into professional practice statistics and industry structures etc...
simplicity [squared]
The latest issue of the B&F enews produced at the Byron Office is up. If you receive the enews in your inbox and use Windows you probably noticed some weird browser stuff in the latest August 2005 issue - Bailey in the Shanghai office of B&F came to the rescue so check back to get the "real" version :). The publication comes out about every two months and features the latest projects by the China based design and production team and the research and strategy lab in Byron Bay, Australia.
For more information about Birds & Fish Communications click here
Let's hope so...
This edit from Design Talkboard seems to align with what I read everywhere.
"Every sign from the business community today signals a growing realization of the importance of design - both communication and product design - to American industry’s global competitive advantage. Design innovation is seen as the driving engine - across all business sectors - for creating value in a world economy where production costs and prices are being driven ever lower."
The trick is making it actually happen... :)
I think the problem with the above statement is however that one cannot assume that communication and product design from America will be the most relevant to many people elsewhere...One needs to be careful about making this assumption.Providing people have other options, they may well explore the potential of Chinese design as the most obvious example.
"Every sign from the business community today signals a growing realization of the importance of design - both communication and product design - to American industry’s global competitive advantage. Design innovation is seen as the driving engine - across all business sectors - for creating value in a world economy where production costs and prices are being driven ever lower."
The trick is making it actually happen... :)
I think the problem with the above statement is however that one cannot assume that communication and product design from America will be the most relevant to many people elsewhere...One needs to be careful about making this assumption.Providing people have other options, they may well explore the potential of Chinese design as the most obvious example.
Chatting at the front...
The following extract editied from a conversation I've just had with a friend from Shanghai is kind of illuminating about several aspects of the China phenomena, including culture, comerce, education and societal attitudes.It is a very long post - however I think it offers some small insights...
red13 says: (12:01:03 AM)
I find that a lot of people just see that pretty surface.
red13 says: (12:01:26 AM)
But when you dig a bit deeper, not much interesting stuff going on here.
Ian says: (12:01:43 AM)
I guess the focus of everyone is related to business
red13 says: (12:02:20 AM)
MONEY
Ian says: (12:02:28 AM)
But [for example] in the UK style press there are often articles and images from Beijing in particular that suggest a development in conteporary culture, fashion, music etc
Ian says: (12:02:35 AM)
MONEY
red13 says: (12:02:49 AM)
But where is it? I don't get it...
red13 says: (12:03:16 AM)
everyone says shanghai is so wonderful and avant-garde, but i don't see any of it in daily life.
Ian says: (12:03:44 AM)
Mybe because you are there and you are dealing with it on a daily basis you kind of get blocked - almost as a coping mechanism....so you miss details?
red13 says: (12:04:05 AM)
sure, there are a few who are passionate about art/design/fashion but in the end, most people just want the $$$
Ian says: (12:04:14 AM)
I think there is more likely an avante garde in Beijing
red13 says: (12:04:19 AM)
Maybe... been here too long?
Ian says: (12:04:29 AM)
yes that [$$$] drives it most definitely
red13 says: (12:04:41 AM)
yes. Charles was there last week, and he says lots more experimental stuff there.
Ian says: (12:05:21 AM)
But everywhere is like that to an extent - more so than ever, kind of desperate in a way too. For me it is only a part of the real "big" picture of life tho'
red13 says: (12:05:39 AM)
performance art and so on
Ian says: (12:05:52 AM)
Yes I think Beijing is more open to it - less pre-occupied with commerce
Ian says: (12:06:23 AM)
Still into the commerce tho', that's China no?
Ian says: (12:06:44 AM)
there is so much coverage on China now here in Australia
Ian says: (12:06:52 AM)
all the time in the media
red13 says: (12:07:15 AM)
Beijing has longer history with arts too.
Ian says: (12:07:25 AM)
yes that's true
red13 says: (12:07:55 AM)
and more foreign influence too. Many foreigners studying there.
Ian says: (12:08:24 AM)
I noticed that the university websites in China seem more foreigner friendly these days
Ian says: (12:08:32 AM)
more in English
red13 says: (12:09:03 AM)
they realised they can charge more money to foreigners!
Ian says: (12:10:03 AM)
it is interesting becaue that has implications for the quality of Chinese education. I know for example that creativity is an area that is really yet to be addressed in a serious way in the Chinese education system
Ian says: (12:10:14 AM)
How will western students react to that?
Ian says: (12:10:41 AM)
Or will they accept it aspart of the "China experience" - even at Uni...
red13 says: (12:11:45 AM)
some are starting to wake up to the creativity issue. So many 'weekend' schools are getting into that. They charge 120 rbm an hour to just get little kids (starting at 1 year old or so) to just play around!
Ian says: (12:12:33 AM)
I teach this area a lot at college and I have lots of material about it
red13 says: (12:12:37 AM)
I know... it is a great idea. Whay don't you come here and do that!
Ian says: (12:12:45 AM)
guess that is why I've started writing about it
red13 says: (12:13:14 AM)
and most of these places are really crappy too... Nothing much happening.
red13 says: (12:13:24 AM)
just some dancing and singing.
Ian says: (12:13:42 AM)
well I have many ideas - it's the logistics....$....I am sure it will come together at some point tho'
Ian says: (12:13:52 AM)
dancing singing
Ian says: (12:13:53 AM)
hahah
red13 says: (12:13:59 AM)
better do it quick! competition is fierce!
Ian says: (12:14:00 AM)
karaoke
Ian says: (12:14:05 AM)
yeah I know
red13 says: (12:14:43 AM)
yes! exactly! they just preparing their kids to be karaoke champs!
Ian says: (12:14:57 AM)
REAL creative !
red13 says: (12:15:45 AM)
I was just talking to my kick-box teacher today, and he was mentioning that the older generation sees it as being 'wrong' if you are content/happy with your life Isn't that odd?
Ian says: (12:16:10 AM)
Why do they think that?
red13 says: (12:16:44 AM)
well, seems that life should be about hardships to some extent. And if you're happy every day, you're not taking life seriously.
Ian says: (12:17:34 AM)
well I see the logic but I don't aspire to that - I think contentment is bliss - when i feel that I know I am doing well
red13 says: (12:17:49 AM)
For example, his mother disapproves of his girlfriend cause she's mostly a happy person. She's seen as being childish.
Ian says: (12:18:22 AM)
So perhaps then the impetus to "succeed" make money etc is less?
Ian says: (12:18:35 AM)
And this is seen as not psoitive
red13 says: (12:18:46 AM)
Of course, I think their thinking is totally off in this case! No wonder they grow up into such anal adults!
Ian says: (12:19:12 AM)
yes I know! Some really restricting concepts
Ian says: (12:19:27 AM)
not healthy
red13 says: (12:19:49 AM)
You should work hard, make money and live a serious life. how awfully boring! No wonder our students liked us so much!
Ian says: (12:20:05 AM)
hahaha
Ian says: (12:20:34 AM)
yes the teachers represented some escape/adventurefrom that way of life...
red13 says: (12:20:51 AM)
but you know what...i see that trait in Charles. It's only recent that he's become chill.
Ian says: (12:21:15 AM)
your influence no doubt
red13 says: (12:21:41 AM)
yes! exactly! we are their parent's nightmares! outspoken, confident, able to think.
Ian says: (12:21:46 AM)
It is good to see him heading in that direction
Ian says: (12:22:09 AM)
Probably many younger people are actually beginning to be like that
Ian says: (12:22:29 AM)
Some of the more switched on students were like that
red13 says: (12:23:05 AM)
Well, mine and the people around him. But still very new to him. But he's enjoying it! he brought me this cheesy toy dog from beijing. It barks and follows you around. I was in shock! It's awesome!
Ian says: (12:23:26 AM)
heheh fantastic
red13 says: (12:23:37 AM)
Yes, that's true. the younger ones are more open to that sort of attitude towards life.
Ian says: (12:23:57 AM)
I always liked Charles sense of humour - very subtle and cheeky in a way
red13 says: (12:24:36 AM)
ya... if i could only get him to stop watching 'friends' every night!
red13 says: (12:01:03 AM)
I find that a lot of people just see that pretty surface.
red13 says: (12:01:26 AM)
But when you dig a bit deeper, not much interesting stuff going on here.
Ian says: (12:01:43 AM)
I guess the focus of everyone is related to business
red13 says: (12:02:20 AM)
MONEY
Ian says: (12:02:28 AM)
But [for example] in the UK style press there are often articles and images from Beijing in particular that suggest a development in conteporary culture, fashion, music etc
Ian says: (12:02:35 AM)
MONEY
red13 says: (12:02:49 AM)
But where is it? I don't get it...
red13 says: (12:03:16 AM)
everyone says shanghai is so wonderful and avant-garde, but i don't see any of it in daily life.
Ian says: (12:03:44 AM)
Mybe because you are there and you are dealing with it on a daily basis you kind of get blocked - almost as a coping mechanism....so you miss details?
red13 says: (12:04:05 AM)
sure, there are a few who are passionate about art/design/fashion but in the end, most people just want the $$$
Ian says: (12:04:14 AM)
I think there is more likely an avante garde in Beijing
red13 says: (12:04:19 AM)
Maybe... been here too long?
Ian says: (12:04:29 AM)
yes that [$$$] drives it most definitely
red13 says: (12:04:41 AM)
yes. Charles was there last week, and he says lots more experimental stuff there.
Ian says: (12:05:21 AM)
But everywhere is like that to an extent - more so than ever, kind of desperate in a way too. For me it is only a part of the real "big" picture of life tho'
red13 says: (12:05:39 AM)
performance art and so on
Ian says: (12:05:52 AM)
Yes I think Beijing is more open to it - less pre-occupied with commerce
Ian says: (12:06:23 AM)
Still into the commerce tho', that's China no?
Ian says: (12:06:44 AM)
there is so much coverage on China now here in Australia
Ian says: (12:06:52 AM)
all the time in the media
red13 says: (12:07:15 AM)
Beijing has longer history with arts too.
Ian says: (12:07:25 AM)
yes that's true
red13 says: (12:07:55 AM)
and more foreign influence too. Many foreigners studying there.
Ian says: (12:08:24 AM)
I noticed that the university websites in China seem more foreigner friendly these days
Ian says: (12:08:32 AM)
more in English
red13 says: (12:09:03 AM)
they realised they can charge more money to foreigners!
Ian says: (12:10:03 AM)
it is interesting becaue that has implications for the quality of Chinese education. I know for example that creativity is an area that is really yet to be addressed in a serious way in the Chinese education system
Ian says: (12:10:14 AM)
How will western students react to that?
Ian says: (12:10:41 AM)
Or will they accept it aspart of the "China experience" - even at Uni...
red13 says: (12:11:45 AM)
some are starting to wake up to the creativity issue. So many 'weekend' schools are getting into that. They charge 120 rbm an hour to just get little kids (starting at 1 year old or so) to just play around!
Ian says: (12:12:33 AM)
I teach this area a lot at college and I have lots of material about it
red13 says: (12:12:37 AM)
I know... it is a great idea. Whay don't you come here and do that!
Ian says: (12:12:45 AM)
guess that is why I've started writing about it
red13 says: (12:13:14 AM)
and most of these places are really crappy too... Nothing much happening.
red13 says: (12:13:24 AM)
just some dancing and singing.
Ian says: (12:13:42 AM)
well I have many ideas - it's the logistics....$....I am sure it will come together at some point tho'
Ian says: (12:13:52 AM)
dancing singing
Ian says: (12:13:53 AM)
hahah
red13 says: (12:13:59 AM)
better do it quick! competition is fierce!
Ian says: (12:14:00 AM)
karaoke
Ian says: (12:14:05 AM)
yeah I know
red13 says: (12:14:43 AM)
yes! exactly! they just preparing their kids to be karaoke champs!
Ian says: (12:14:57 AM)
REAL creative !
red13 says: (12:15:45 AM)
I was just talking to my kick-box teacher today, and he was mentioning that the older generation sees it as being 'wrong' if you are content/happy with your life Isn't that odd?
Ian says: (12:16:10 AM)
Why do they think that?
red13 says: (12:16:44 AM)
well, seems that life should be about hardships to some extent. And if you're happy every day, you're not taking life seriously.
Ian says: (12:17:34 AM)
well I see the logic but I don't aspire to that - I think contentment is bliss - when i feel that I know I am doing well
red13 says: (12:17:49 AM)
For example, his mother disapproves of his girlfriend cause she's mostly a happy person. She's seen as being childish.
Ian says: (12:18:22 AM)
So perhaps then the impetus to "succeed" make money etc is less?
Ian says: (12:18:35 AM)
And this is seen as not psoitive
red13 says: (12:18:46 AM)
Of course, I think their thinking is totally off in this case! No wonder they grow up into such anal adults!
Ian says: (12:19:12 AM)
yes I know! Some really restricting concepts
Ian says: (12:19:27 AM)
not healthy
red13 says: (12:19:49 AM)
You should work hard, make money and live a serious life. how awfully boring! No wonder our students liked us so much!
Ian says: (12:20:05 AM)
hahaha
Ian says: (12:20:34 AM)
yes the teachers represented some escape/adventurefrom that way of life...
red13 says: (12:20:51 AM)
but you know what...i see that trait in Charles. It's only recent that he's become chill.
Ian says: (12:21:15 AM)
your influence no doubt
red13 says: (12:21:41 AM)
yes! exactly! we are their parent's nightmares! outspoken, confident, able to think.
Ian says: (12:21:46 AM)
It is good to see him heading in that direction
Ian says: (12:22:09 AM)
Probably many younger people are actually beginning to be like that
Ian says: (12:22:29 AM)
Some of the more switched on students were like that
red13 says: (12:23:05 AM)
Well, mine and the people around him. But still very new to him. But he's enjoying it! he brought me this cheesy toy dog from beijing. It barks and follows you around. I was in shock! It's awesome!
Ian says: (12:23:26 AM)
heheh fantastic
red13 says: (12:23:37 AM)
Yes, that's true. the younger ones are more open to that sort of attitude towards life.
Ian says: (12:23:57 AM)
I always liked Charles sense of humour - very subtle and cheeky in a way
red13 says: (12:24:36 AM)
ya... if i could only get him to stop watching 'friends' every night!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Making sense of organisations
The words of Karl Weick are quite interesting...
"Your beliefs are cause maps that you impose on the world, after which you 'see' what you have already imposed"
"Specifically, I would suggest that the effective organization is garrulous, clumsy, superstitious, hypocritical, monstrous, octopoid, wandering, and grouchy"
" If an organization is narrow in the images that it directs toward its own actions, then when it examines what it has said, it will see only bland displays. This means in turn that the organization won't be able to make much interesting sense of what's going on or of its place in it. That's not a trivial outcome, because the kind of sense that an organization makes of its thoughts and of itself has an effect on its ability to deal with change. An organization that continually sees itself in novel images, images that are permeated with diverse skills and sensitivities, thereby is equipped to deal with altered surroundings when they appear."
"Your beliefs are cause maps that you impose on the world, after which you 'see' what you have already imposed"
"Specifically, I would suggest that the effective organization is garrulous, clumsy, superstitious, hypocritical, monstrous, octopoid, wandering, and grouchy"
" If an organization is narrow in the images that it directs toward its own actions, then when it examines what it has said, it will see only bland displays. This means in turn that the organization won't be able to make much interesting sense of what's going on or of its place in it. That's not a trivial outcome, because the kind of sense that an organization makes of its thoughts and of itself has an effect on its ability to deal with change. An organization that continually sees itself in novel images, images that are permeated with diverse skills and sensitivities, thereby is equipped to deal with altered surroundings when they appear."
Get in the swing again :-)
Ok well I know it's been a few weeks since I have seriously offered any words up. Things are chaotic with family, job and project needs clashing to make life hectic to say the least.
Tonight however I stumbled across this blog and felt it was an appropriate link to post. Danwei is a site I have not seen before but at least at first glance it seems relevant.
The concept of Open Space that was raised on CPH127 is pretty inpiring. Reading some of the comments, most notably these words by Chris Corrigan...
The principles of Open Space are also worth noting:
* Whoever comes are the right people
* Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
* When it starts is the right time
* When it's over, it's over
and the law of two feet: if you find yourself in a situation where you are neither learning or contributing, go somewhere where you can.
It was refreshing and reminded me that I have in fact experienced such "spaces" and found them very conducive to creativity. I feel that at one point while managing the Design Centre I achieved that kind of balanced dynamic environment.
Tonight however I stumbled across this blog and felt it was an appropriate link to post. Danwei is a site I have not seen before but at least at first glance it seems relevant.
The concept of Open Space that was raised on CPH127 is pretty inpiring. Reading some of the comments, most notably these words by Chris Corrigan...
The principles of Open Space are also worth noting:
* Whoever comes are the right people
* Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
* When it starts is the right time
* When it's over, it's over
and the law of two feet: if you find yourself in a situation where you are neither learning or contributing, go somewhere where you can.
It was refreshing and reminded me that I have in fact experienced such "spaces" and found them very conducive to creativity. I feel that at one point while managing the Design Centre I achieved that kind of balanced dynamic environment.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Rewarding failure - does it happen?
There are many references to the elusive nature of true innovation online and in recent business texts, most notably Tom Peters. It is well documented that people who strive for innovation often experience failure before success is achieved. Contemporary texts posit that it is essential to reward or embrace failure - or at least make it acceptable within the scope of an organisation's agenda. Going outside the lines should be encouraged - or so the rhetoric of the gurus goes.
Can anyone tell me an example of where this has happened? Does business actually reward those who go out on a limb to make things happen even if they don't succeed? I'd like to see examples before I am actually convinced.
Can anyone tell me an example of where this has happened? Does business actually reward those who go out on a limb to make things happen even if they don't succeed? I'd like to see examples before I am actually convinced.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Global Weave
The above link is to an archived version of the article I published in DESKTOP magazine in 2004 on COLLABOR8©. Here's the link to the relevant page of the DESKTOP site.
COLLABOR8© is a concept to engage design students in an international collaborative design project reflecting the emergent paradigm of multidisciplinary teams and virtual work spaces. For more information about the project click here.
COLLABOR8© is a concept to engage design students in an international collaborative design project reflecting the emergent paradigm of multidisciplinary teams and virtual work spaces. For more information about the project click here.
Heroic Speech
Kevin Robert's (Saatchi & Saatchi) recent speech to students at Beijing University captures my imagination, makes me feel confident and more assured that I'm on the right track - even in the face of considerable opposition and apparent failure in terms of some of the projects and "skunkworks" I have implimented over the past two years:
Inspirational Players Explode Paradox
Choosing between opposing forces limits possibility. Innovation and reducing costs. Young and old generations. Short and long term.. Don't settle for “Either / Or”. Inspirational players refuse to make choice. They work with two competing ideas in all their complexity with equal passion and resolve. Instead of getting the best of neither, you get something better than both.
http://www.saatchikevin.com/talkingit/beijing05.html
And further...
Peak Performance is about reaching and sustaining the highest levels of performance imaginable. It is a book, a theory, a practice, an attitude, a philosophy, a spirit that knows no boundary. It goes beyond management and leadership, both 20th century ideas.
Peak Performance engages the force of the future.
Inspiration.
* Inspiration unlocks human potential.
* Inspiration unleashes potential.
* Inspiration is contagious.
* Inspiration is emotional.
* Inspiration is about action.
* Inspiration delivers real results.
Peak Performance is about dream, challenge, focus and action. First you need an Inspirational Dream.
An Inspirational Dream is the most powerful force for change there is. I have seen wonderful things happen when people have the guts to live their dream. Martin Luther King didn't say I have a business plan.
http://www.saatchikevin.com/talkingit/beijing05.html
I have questions about this despite my willingness to listen to these ideas. Those questions are about the reality I often face - I am inspired but those around me are not. For whatever reason, personal, historical, professional or idealogical, inspiration can undoubtedly be undone by non participation, cynical people lack of motivation.
Inspirational Players Explode Paradox
Choosing between opposing forces limits possibility. Innovation and reducing costs. Young and old generations. Short and long term.. Don't settle for “Either / Or”. Inspirational players refuse to make choice. They work with two competing ideas in all their complexity with equal passion and resolve. Instead of getting the best of neither, you get something better than both.
http://www.saatchikevin.com/talkingit/beijing05.html
And further...
Peak Performance is about reaching and sustaining the highest levels of performance imaginable. It is a book, a theory, a practice, an attitude, a philosophy, a spirit that knows no boundary. It goes beyond management and leadership, both 20th century ideas.
Peak Performance engages the force of the future.
Inspiration.
* Inspiration unlocks human potential.
* Inspiration unleashes potential.
* Inspiration is contagious.
* Inspiration is emotional.
* Inspiration is about action.
* Inspiration delivers real results.
Peak Performance is about dream, challenge, focus and action. First you need an Inspirational Dream.
An Inspirational Dream is the most powerful force for change there is. I have seen wonderful things happen when people have the guts to live their dream. Martin Luther King didn't say I have a business plan.
http://www.saatchikevin.com/talkingit/beijing05.html
I have questions about this despite my willingness to listen to these ideas. Those questions are about the reality I often face - I am inspired but those around me are not. For whatever reason, personal, historical, professional or idealogical, inspiration can undoubtedly be undone by non participation, cynical people lack of motivation.
Friday, July 22, 2005
How far does "user experience" design extend?
Usability, user - experience design, and service design, it seems to me [correct me if you think I am wrong] have considerable overlap. I'm writing this as much for my own benefit than anything else here. Just to clarify my thoughts on this...
As you know I have been involved in design education for a significant part of my career, and I am, in the light of the amount of discussion and focus these areas of design practice attract,making connections between my original understanding of the area as being mostly concerned with user interfaces, websites, software etc. [GUI for example].
What can we say about the "usability" of design education programs? Is that important? Is developing curriculum not in fact a kind of "service design". Students being the "user"...
The service is the experience...
If one for example looks at say IDEO as a pertinent example of a practice providing a global service in this area the argument is clear. All user experiences virtual and 'real world" can benefit from innovation and design strategy that addresses usability.
Yet it is equally clear that the majority of businesses and institutional organisations are yet to even consider such a notion. It is often not even a blip on the radar. Sure, "customer service" is seen as important but the experience and the impact of design on the user - experience is out of the range of the business agenda.
I think "coherence" is an issue. For example consider the case of a large organisation that actively promotes "flexibility' as a key tenant both within the organisation, and to the consumer/client, but develops multiple computer-driven systems that exclude the possibility of flexibility in the name of "customer service". The fallout is apparent "consternation" at points where there is divergence from rigid processes that misalign with the "system".
Workplace cultures that are hostile to diversity of strategy amongst departments and workgroups risk sacrificing qualities such as flexibility, thereby losing ground in the current disruptive climate where the ability to respond quickly and intuitively is increasingly paramount.
What is the outcome for client [and in fact staff]where a service/product does not respond in ways that meet individualised needs...?
As you know I have been involved in design education for a significant part of my career, and I am, in the light of the amount of discussion and focus these areas of design practice attract,making connections between my original understanding of the area as being mostly concerned with user interfaces, websites, software etc. [GUI for example].
What can we say about the "usability" of design education programs? Is that important? Is developing curriculum not in fact a kind of "service design". Students being the "user"...
The service is the experience...
If one for example looks at say IDEO as a pertinent example of a practice providing a global service in this area the argument is clear. All user experiences virtual and 'real world" can benefit from innovation and design strategy that addresses usability.
Yet it is equally clear that the majority of businesses and institutional organisations are yet to even consider such a notion. It is often not even a blip on the radar. Sure, "customer service" is seen as important but the experience and the impact of design on the user - experience is out of the range of the business agenda.
I think "coherence" is an issue. For example consider the case of a large organisation that actively promotes "flexibility' as a key tenant both within the organisation, and to the consumer/client, but develops multiple computer-driven systems that exclude the possibility of flexibility in the name of "customer service". The fallout is apparent "consternation" at points where there is divergence from rigid processes that misalign with the "system".
Workplace cultures that are hostile to diversity of strategy amongst departments and workgroups risk sacrificing qualities such as flexibility, thereby losing ground in the current disruptive climate where the ability to respond quickly and intuitively is increasingly paramount.
What is the outcome for client [and in fact staff]where a service/product does not respond in ways that meet individualised needs...?
New look CPH127
The new look CPH127 is clearly the improvement that the team was looking for. The interface is better organised and definitely displays better. Well done everyone who was involved with the upgrade...
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Organisational Dinosaurs?
Check the link above...it is heartening for me at present to read this, given the recent posting I have been making regarding the moribund bureacracies and their resistance to change.
One can be forgiven for a feeling of isolation and alienation in the face of the brutal logic of the "system". far more satisfying is the experience of the interactivity of the wiki, the blog, the web board. This is especially so I find when like minded individuals can gather to discuss topics of relevance to their creative interests.
"Digital technology is providing people with the tools to produce and share content like never before, and it is set to throw the relationship between them and institutions into turmoil, say experts... "I am predicting 50 years of chaos," says leading digital thinker Clay Shirky. "Loosely organised groups will be increasingly given leverage.
"Institutions will come under increasing degrees of pressures and the more rigid they are, the more pressures they will come under. "
Co-opting the creative revolution
In my current [primary] role I can already see the impact of rapid technological change on the structures of the organisation. People's interpretation of the change and the intended use of the digital interfaces and supporting structures, for example, are divergent. This misinterpretation or lag in terms of a organisationally global understanding and utilisation of the technology, causes great"consternation"[not my word] amongst those directly involved, responsible, and accountable in the implimentation of a system. It is an interesting if painful phenomena.
I cannot say I am happy about this - I simply observe that it appears from experiential evidence to be true. the effect is, as Shirky states, "chaotic".
One can be forgiven for a feeling of isolation and alienation in the face of the brutal logic of the "system". far more satisfying is the experience of the interactivity of the wiki, the blog, the web board. This is especially so I find when like minded individuals can gather to discuss topics of relevance to their creative interests.
"Digital technology is providing people with the tools to produce and share content like never before, and it is set to throw the relationship between them and institutions into turmoil, say experts... "I am predicting 50 years of chaos," says leading digital thinker Clay Shirky. "Loosely organised groups will be increasingly given leverage.
"Institutions will come under increasing degrees of pressures and the more rigid they are, the more pressures they will come under. "
Co-opting the creative revolution
In my current [primary] role I can already see the impact of rapid technological change on the structures of the organisation. People's interpretation of the change and the intended use of the digital interfaces and supporting structures, for example, are divergent. This misinterpretation or lag in terms of a organisationally global understanding and utilisation of the technology, causes great"consternation"[not my word] amongst those directly involved, responsible, and accountable in the implimentation of a system. It is an interesting if painful phenomena.
I cannot say I am happy about this - I simply observe that it appears from experiential evidence to be true. the effect is, as Shirky states, "chaotic".
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