PREFACE >
EDITOR’S FOREWORD
T
his edition of DESIGN > magazine started out with humble aims of looking at the role that design plays in the broad concept of the Creative Economy. It unintentionally ended up becoming the largest edition published yet.
The reason for this bumper edition is that the concept of the Creative Economy is vast. It encompasses many fields of practice and the editorial team became immersed in the theme. They soon found themselves exploring diverse avenues and angles on the topic. In the blink of an eye we had covered a range of disciplines and topics not originally intended. These range from music, cinematography, and puppetry to craft, textiles and ceramics to mention just a few. The dynamic development of this edition of DESIGN > signifies the multi-disciplinary nature of the design fields, as well as their dynamic and unpredictable developments. Design as a discipline is never static. It is in constant flux and is redefined continuously. The result? A worthwhile and insightful issue of DESIGN > covering 52 articles and 334 pages. Design is not just a tool that beneficiates commercial brand value – it entails much more. It’s more about an attitude anchored on innovative thinking; it is a service provider sector of problem-solving solutions; and a sector that stimulates new ways at looking at the world, how we think, how we view it, and how we respond to its challenges. More than 50 industry experts provided perspectives on these subjects. Yes, this issue is a demanding read, but then again, a little reading might not go amiss in our industry. I wish you an insightful and entertaining journey through the Creative Economy. Jacques Lange DESIGN > Editor formation