According to Wikipedia, a design is a plan or specification for the construction of an object or system or for the implementation of an activity or process or the result of that plan or specification in the form of a prototype, product or process.
I started pondering how design has changed our lives and realized that most design has enhanced our lives, be it in artistic value or streamlining processes for our daily lives. Truthfully, I do not believe anyone sits down to intentionally design that which will only complicate. Conceptually, a designer’s inspiration begins with an idea to update or modernize, to make things easier to understand and to discover new ways to approach manufacturing and products we use and need.
Here is an overly simplistic snapshot of a real problem and a designed solution.
Let’s look at the country of Singapore — its use of seasonal immigrant labor was becoming uncertain as its next generation workforce citizenry was growing more educated. These workers realized the country needed new solutions with regards to manufacturing; goods still needed to be sourced, made and shipped. The country knew that automation of the factories would help speed up deliveries, but it also wanted to consider how to create jobs with more depth in order to match the new knowledge base of its workforce. Singaporean businesses quickly saw the benefits of machine automation, and by utilizing this technology, they could conceivably create more value and interest for a new generation of more highly skilled workers. With this more highly-skilled labor force, the country now had a better source of skilled workers to recruit from.
I’m sure that most workers feared the use of automation and viewed this development as putting people out of work. Actually, the way in which Singapore approached this problem by weighing the pros and cons resulted in its quick realization that this problem was in reality the solution to provide more meaningful jobs for its people.
There are times when I’m sure we have all experienced some degree of fear when facing change; perhaps this is a direct correlation to the unknown. Yet, we seem to embrace the design changes and covet new versions of mobile phones, cars, televisions and other consumer electronics. With each redesign in these sectors, we’ve come to anticipate streamlined sleek styling, ergonomically comfortable gadgets and appliances with greater speed and enhanced graphic quality — all the while hoping for greater longevity rather than designed (planned) obsolescence.
A recent article in Business Week magazine looked at the issues surrounding redesigning and modernizing the design of convention centers. Post-COVID-19 event organizers are reviewing closely the upgrades to convention centers and their amenities, as these refinements will be considerations in attracting organizations to hold their events within a particular venue. While designing an impressive statement-making spiral staircase as the centerpiece for a convention center redesign, the designer envisioned the staircase gleefully whisking visitors into the conference/ exhibit space. Sadly, while the monumental staircase may look lovely and impressive, it turns out not to be a functional option, given the size of most convention centers and arenas.
Those attending large events look for any way to streamline and lessen the distances and time needed to walk in order to cover an event. Why not utilize people movers/escalators?
When contemplating upgrades to the design of public facilities, those designers should include stakeholders/users to ensure design changes really do meet the needs into the future. Lighting, audio visual and bathrooms are key upgrades to modernizing design in larger faculties. Also, for those in the Trade Show Biz … we would appreciate fewer columns in our halls. Thank you.
The father of art and design was Leonardo DaVinci. Many of DaVinci’s original designs are the core of modern inventions and advancement for humankind — and we don’t need to look far, as the helicopter was a Leonardo DaVinci design.
Everything in our lives has been designed! Clothes, houses, cars, roadways and communities — the list goes on and on. What’s old can be new again, which is why we need to ensure continued education and support in order to cultivate and nourish those amongst us who have the innate talent for design, those who are able to think of ways to enrich our daily lives and make us each think, “What did we do before?”
With upgrades coming at us at a fast and furious pace, remember that when you need a can opener, stick to the original. Good design is a good design!
As president of footwear for Informa Markets, Leslie Gallin developed the FN Platform, the footwear shows at Magic. Gallin scouts the world’s best new designers and trends, providing unparalleled business insights and access into the world of footwear and beyond. Gallin is a board member of Footwear Distributors/Representatives of America, American Apparel and Footwear Associate, Two Ten-Footwear Charity and fromfashionwithlove.org, among others, and has held positions at World Shoe Association, Geoffrey Benne, Escada, Louis Feraud and Pauline Tigere. She has been featured in Footwear Plus, Footwear News, O The Oprah Magazine, Vegas, Fox’s Good Day LA, Extra TV and more.
Leslie Gallin
Meridian Group
missfashion@cs.com
