Q. What role does design play in the new economy?
A.
A
HUGE one.
Design allows us to understand, communicate, survive, be inspired, move, create...
...but design does not happen on its own. It does not happen magically.
Design happens through designers.
sk i l ls
Designers that almost like a Swiss army knife, hold
to
s ol
a nd w k no
le d g
e
to make things happen.
Design and designers are essential to our communities.
Like farmers, designers will work endlessly and wait patiently for their crops to grow.
Designers, just as professional athletes, commit & deliver their best.
Just like economists, designers can crunch
u
n
m be r s
& make things work for all parties.
s
heigh t
t s,
e,
ew
ba
t ic
ro
ac
ac
pr
ke
d a re &
risk a l
to n
de
sig
ne
rs
Li
l. To
s inspire u
&t
u e k a
s
Designers sometimes act like barbers, grooming a little here & there, to let us see a face.
Just as glassblowers, designers remind us of how delectable simplicity can be.
Like medical doctors, they listen closely to hearts and their beats.
Like linguists, designers have the power to influence speech.
Designers, just like bakers, can do marvels with little resources.
t af
um
are
no
or
Like comedians, designers
raid of u sin g
h
to questions societies’ actions.
Designers can be like butchers, fearlessly putting concepts on the chopping board.
As astrophysicists, explore beyond boundaries.
Just as chefs, designers are resourceful and can create unique experiences.
Designers can be a bit like lawyers, advocating for fair trial of ideas and their execution. No pun intended.
persp ectiv e. Like hot air balloon pilots, designers can show the world from a completely different
Like plumbers, designers bring relief.
Like mothers, designers can bring comfort and understanding.
Just as mathematicians, designers will try & try, & try, & try countless times to find answers to many equations.
They can be like fathers, too. Fixing things with tools they love.
Like detectives, will search endlessly
for an swers.
Designers are a little bit like gardeners. Willing to get dirty to let some beauty grow.
Can be somehow similar to personal trainers. Making effective changes to enhance shape and form.
Very much like engineers, designers apply knowledge to develop innovative solutions.
Like first grade teachers, will help others read & marvel at new knowledge.
Like janitors, designers can do marvelous & indispensable work without discouragement, even when the job goes unnoticed.
Like architects, designers bridge gaps, keep structures sound & build dreams form the ground up.
Almost like firefighters,
desi g ners will put out m
any f i
res .
Just as musicians. Designers can move you to tears, bring a new beat or get you
d
an c
i
n
g.
Somehow like baristas, designers understand flavors, moods & likes. To offer comfort, surprise & delight.
I could go on and on about designers within the community. But I think I’m reaching my analogies’ peak.
And don’t juana bore you.
Nor see you roll your eyes.
So, before we reach that point...
if you are still a little skeptical about the importance of the designer’s role in the existent economy,
look around you.
see the computer you’re using to read this?
plenty of designers were involved in the making of that machine.
that chair you’re sitting on.
chances are, a designer took at least a glance at it.
your shirt?
ask textile designers where it came from.
that pen?
your snazzy shoes?
the ad that made you want to buy those snazzy shoes?
the letters on that book you love?
the cover of that same book you love?
headphones? that fork?
lamps?
airport signage?
glasses whistles? hats? your credit card?
your cell phone? that lipstick? road signage?
the cover of that same book you love?
tables?
umbrellas?
that magazine?
bank notes?
watches? that new poster? shelves?
newspapers?
your music player?
a ukelele?
the packaging of your medication?
back packs?
the production of all those things -most likely- involved a designer.
Now, there’s no need to run out and hug a designer.
But the reminder goes both ways,
if you are not a designer, now you know we are everywhere!
(Yeah, we’re a conglomerate of overachievers).
If you are a designer,
No time to pat your own back.
As we face challenging times, we better offer out best.
INSPIRE.
INNOVATE.
QUESTION.
INFORM.
DISCERN.
SHAPE.
CREATE.
COLLABORATE.
EXPERIENCE.
EXPERIMENT.
CONTRIBUTE.
PARTICIPATE.
EXPLORE.
FIND.
There’s a whole planet waiting for you to surprise us.
Juana Medina Š 2011