The last two paradigm shifts emphasize the significance of human-centred design thinking and the new ways of approaching the application of technology that arises from it. Design is a unifying force for creative thinking, something that forms a link between individual dreams and the future. Technology is no longer the driver for development. Development springs from a profound understanding of people’s needs and hopes and new applications made possible by technology. This goes for the development of environments, products, and services as well. Nokia’s extraordinary rise to the top of its field is a fantastic example of this: its success was propelled by positive user experiences created through design and product desirability combined with the most advanced technology. The same formula has been applied to the development of heavy forestry machinery, forklifts, enormous paper machines, medical equipment, and massive cruise ships as well as to solutions that make life easier for an ageing population and to creative learning environments. The paradigm shift currently underway has expanded the applicable scope of design to all activities of society, cities, companies, and individuals. Embedded Design aptly describes this shift, which is testing the boundaries of design and is powered by openness, hope in the future, and the courage to change and renew. Embedded Design also describes a systematic approach to applying design. The mission of design is building sustainable, human-centred, creative societies. Human-centred design thinking, when rooted in universal and sustainable principles, has the power to fundamentally improve our world. It can deliver economic, ecological, social and cultural benefits to our societies and to all people, improve our quality of life, and create optimism about the future and individual and shared happiness.
Yrjö Sotamaa, Professor Professor Yrjö Sotamaa is the past President of the University of Art and Design Helsinki, the “father” of the idea of the Aalto University and the Chairman of the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk TWRB Foundation.
Open Helsinki — Embedding Design in Life
World Design Capital 2012 Application