Transparent Design – Making design’s invisible impliactions visible The field of design is rapidly shifting towards the creation, understanding and reframing of systems. A critical stance is being taken in which design questions its implications, problems and ethical dilemmas. Understanding the relationship the field holds across complex systems clarifies design’s role as a transformative and political tool. For design’s complexity and interconnectedness to be fully understood, it is assumed that design must become transparent. Through the transparency of design, an unveiling of its hidden manifestations, intentions and implications occurs, thereby providing a deeper understanding. Transparent design paves the way towards a more ethical and balanced approach to the field. Could design’s transparency empower personal choice and behavioural change? The aim of this project was to understand the relationship and interconnectedness the design field holds across complex systems. Creating a methodology for designers to observe their environment through a lens-based approach, facilitates their understanding of the relationships and connections that exist through complex systems. By making design’s invisible implications visible, our approach to design shifts. We become aware, we start to question our practice, we acknowledge the impact our design decisions will have, we work towards more ethical and transparent design solutions. Author Carmen Irene Paz
institute of art design and technology
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