The Centre for School Design

The Centre for School Design is a new independent think tank being launched today by Ty Goddard and Ian Fordham. Hosted by The British Council for School Environments its mission is set “to lead thinking and shape policy and practice in education, design and the built environment.”

It’s encouraging to see the project has immediately identified its intention to harness the power of social media. Eagerly wanting to find out more, I’m off to the launch event in London this evening with Duane Melius :)

Speakers tonight include: project founders Ty Goddard and Ian Fordham, Stephen Bayley (author, cultural commentator and architecture & design correspondent, The Observer), Baroness Morris of Yardley (former secretary of state for education) and Steve Moore (Director, Policy Unplugged & advisor to Channel 4 Education).

You can follow the event happenings on twitter via #cfsd or @cfsd

Filed under: On Education, On Events, cfsd, Design, Education, Ian Fordham, london, School Design, Steve Moore, The Centre for School Design, Ty Goddard

Steve Jobs on ‘Connecting the Dots’

At his Stanford University commencement speech in 2005, Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple and Pixar, tells a heart-warming tale of some of pivotal moments in his life. Told in three stories – the first about connecting the dots, second on love and loss and the third on death itself, Steve urges us to pursue our dreams and see the opportunities in life’s setbacks. Steve Jobs was not someone I thought I would resonate with until I heard this story, so after posting over on Mindapples last night wanted to share it here too.

“I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

Thank you Angela for the link.

Filed under: On Education, On People, Connecting Dots, Inspiration, Stanford University, Steve Jobs

‘We Are The People’ Screening

With almost half of all 11-19 year olds saying they find school boring or irrelevant, how can we be more creative educators? How can we re-engage with our young people to ensure they enjoy learning and reach their full potential? What do we want our children to grow up to be?

On Tuesday 9th February, I am hosting a free screening of the feature film on education ‘We Are The People We’ve Been Waiting For’, which will be followed by an informal discussion. We have invited teachers from across North London to join us for the event, but places are open to anyone interested in seeing the film and joining the conversation.

Organised by Dr. Morgan Philips and Limina, the screening will be held at the Arcola Theatre in North London, from 4.30-6.30p.m. Free tea and cakes will be served! :)

To book a place, please email rsvp@limina.org.uk

Filed under: On Education, On Events, Arcola Theatre, Creativity, Education, Limina, Teaching, We Are The People We’ve Been Waiting For

We Are The People We’ve Been Waiting For

Having spent over four years exploring the results of our flawed and non-creative education system, and subsequently inspired by the work and voice of Sir Ken Robinson, Lord Puttnam, Richard Gerver and others, I was excited to hear last week via Ken Robinson of a new film documentary that premiered in London last night, We Are The People We’ve Been Waiting For.

This landmark independent documentary, inspired and guided by Lord Puttnam and Sir Michael Barber, explores the education system in the UK and asks whether the current system provides young people with the opportunity to develop their talents. High-profile figures sharing their personal experiences and views include Sir Richard Branson, Germaine Greer, Henry Winkler, Bill Bryson, Sir Ken Robinson and a wide range of education experts from around the world.

This thought-provoking film offers unique insight across generations and nations, and reveals a very inconvenient truth about education. The world is changing rapidly but our education system is not keeping pace.

Sir Ken Robinson’s 2001 book “Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative” was and remains one of my greatest working inspirations and his second book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, published this year adds to his belief that individual talent, human capacity and creativity should be enhanced in schools, not stifled.

Interestingly, only last month we heard Thomas Friedman offer his opinion as to the need to understand today’s education challenge and a new era of, what he describes as, ‘The New Untouchables’.

I do hope this film reaches everyone and not only asks if the current system is providing young people with the right opportunities (we know the answer to this one), but I hope it actually instigates the revolution we so desperately need. “We don’t need to reform education, we need to transform it”, explains Sir Ken Robinson.

For more information visit
+ WeArethePeopleMovie.com
+ EDGE: Education Revolution
+ Guardian: Welcome to the Real World

Filed under: On Culture, On Education, On People, On Society, Creative Intelligence, EDGE, Education, Human, individual, Innovation, Lord Puttnam, Movie, Sir Ken Robinson, Talent, We Are The People, We Are The People We've Been Waiting For

Greengaged – Sustainable Design

After an energetic ten days during London Design Festival 2008, the sustainable design hub – Greengaged is making a big return for 2009. Co-designed with thomas.matthews and web designer Daniel Howells, I’m pleased to announce that Greengaged.com has had a big makeover this year!

With an intent to advance the designs industry’s capacity to respond positively to climate change, Greengaged was founded in 2008, by Sophie Thomas from thomas.matthews, Sarah Johnson from [re]design and Anne Chick from The Sustainable Design Research Centre at Kingston University.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Education, On Events, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, On Sustainability, Design Council, Greengaged.com Greengaged, Kate Andrews, London Design Festival, Sophie Thomas, sustainability, Sustainable Design, thomas matthews

Kept – Things don’t have to be rubbish

Founded by More Associates Director Luke Nicholson, Kept is a new movement celebrating the “stuff” that can be kept in the world, stuff that isn’t rubbish. “Together we will help the people who still design and sell rubbish to embrace the change”, he explains.

Of course, we are in the throes of a worldwide recession, and we also face the urgent global crisis of climate change. Most of the new materials we take out of the ground to drive our economy are rubbish just one month later. This makes a huge contribution to both problems. If we’re going to ‘spend our way out’, we shouldn’t be buying products that are designed to go into landfill.

Most of the stuff we can buy today is rubbish, and it was designed to be rubbish. Literally. Now, that’s not easy for us to say; we invented some of it, designed some of it, photographed it, advertised it, wrote about it, composed music for it and in the end we went out and bought it. Kept has been started as a way to make things better. Companies have to make products and services that meet our needs without extracting virgin materials from the ground, and without creating systems that routinely bury products that still have life in them. This will help them – by using fewer materials and less energy in clever ways, they can actually become more financially successful.

Kept represents anyone who wants to have great stuff in their lives, and who wants stuff to be better. Kept will be working with companies who care about the stuff they make, and wouldn’t want it to do harm. And will help government to understand what they can do (or not do) to bring about the improvements we all want.

To get involved, Kept is asking you to tell your stories and share what “things” you value and cherish. Submit your stories about the things you have kept, big or small, by visiting www.kept.it or if you use twitter just add #kept to your tweet!

You can follow the project news @keptintheloop and please join the project the Kept Facebook Group where we will be raising questions and sharing news, insights and debate.

Filed under: On Community, On Culture, On Education, On Sustainability, Design, Kept, Luke Nicholson, products, rubbish, stuff, Sustainable, things don't have to be rubbish, Waste

Cumulus Conference: Confronting Challenge with Change

Asking how technology, globalisation and sustainability will impact the creative sector? And, further, how they impact the education sector? Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication presents the 2009 Cumulus Conference: ‘Confronting Challenge with Change’ at the O2, on 27 – 30 May 2009. Key note speakers include Lord David Puttnam, Dr Angela Dumas, Sir Ken Robinson, Prof. Robin Baker OBE and many other industry and education leaders.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Education, On Events, On Social Design, On Sustainability, Confronting Challenge with Change, Cumulus Conference, Design, Globalisation, sustainability, Technology

Blank Canvas

On April 30th, in the heart of London, four students from London’s Ravensbourne College of Design will present Blank Canvas, a silent auction of customised design work by the likes of Milton Glaser, Ken Garland, Non-Format, Jonathan Barnbrook, Si Scott, Julien Vallee, James Goggin, Graphic Thought Facility and many more!

Blank Canvas is an event organised by the students on the BA (hons) Design for Moving Image and Graphic Design course to raise funds for their graduation show. They will be sending a list of top designers and illustrators random items, found in various jumble sales and charity shops across London (anything from an old teapot, to a rusty cog, to a vintage suitcase). They will then be asked to customise these items to then be collected and put to auction on April 30th at the Vibe Bar on London’s Brick Lane.

Brilliant idea guys, I’m looking forward to seeing some old stuff made new!

Filed under: On Education, On Events, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, Auction, Barnbrook, Blank Canvas, Graphic Design, Ken Garland, london, Megan Riera, Milton Glaser, Ravensbourne, Si Scott

The Element

On Tuesday 3rd February, creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson will take to the stage at BMI IMAX in London, to give a lecture on “The Element”, the title of his forthcoming book on creativity, education and human talent.

“Sir Ken will draw on personal stories from a wide range of people – from ex-Beatle Paul McCartney to renowned physicist Richard Feynman – showing how all of them came to recognise and utilise their unique talents. Sir Ken will outline how every one of us can find our element, connecting with our true talents and fulfilling our creative potential. He will give you a detailed account of how you can instil this practice into your organisation, making sure that the right people are in the right jobs, and with maximum motivation.”

All guests will receive a complimentary copy of The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Sir Ken Robinson, published by Allen Lane (RRP £16.99). To book your ticket visit the London Business Forum and find out who else is going on Facebook.

Filed under: On Education, Sir Ken Robinson, The Element

Education, Education, Education

A story worth learning, from the magnificent Richard Gerver.

Filed under: On Education, On People, Creative Intelligence, Creativity, Education, Intelligence, Richard Gerver, Sir Ken Robinson, Talent, The Element

Graduates Train for Social Design Workshops!

In preparation for The Real Work Experience workshops later this month, last Thursday nine graduate and undergraduate designers took part in an engaging afternoon of workshop training!

Arriving at the thinkpublic studio from Bristol, Brighton, Bournemouth, Glasgow, London, Kent and Leeds our leading designers are each running workshops on Friday 21st November to explore what young designers need to enable them to use their skills for social causes.

Filed under: On Education, On Ethics, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, On Society, Design for Social Change, Designers, Education, Graduates, Social Design, student, students, The Real Work Experience, ThinkPublic, Workshop

‘What is Design?’ asks UK Design Council

The latest video from the UK Design Council has wonderfully captured the essence of design. Ambitiously entitled ‘What is Design?’ the video illustrates the simplicity required to explain the nature (and power) of design to the masses.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Culture, On Education, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, Communication Design, Design, Design Council, Graphic Design, Service, UK, What is Design?

MA DESIGN WRITING CRITICISM Launch!

On Wednesday 8th October, I arrived at London College of Communication for the first day of my Masters degree. Led by Professor Teal Triggs, Anna Gerber and Dr Ian Horton, the brand new MA in Design Writing Criticism has set out to uncover the new roles for professional design writing and criticism.

Following a morning coffee, I sat down alongside my fellow post-graduate colleagues. Following hand in of our preliminary task, to write 250 words in response to the question ‘Why Do I Write?’ our attention turned to our second exercise; to choose and bring in one artifact (object, visual or textual) that we considered to be part of a/the ‘Design Canon’.

Filed under: On Education, On Graphic Design, On Writing & Criticism, Criticism, Design Criticism, Design Writing, London College of Communication, MA Design Writing Criticism, Teal Triggs

Design for Social Change Workshops!

On Friday 21st November, final year and graduate designers will run simultaneous workshops up and down the country, in an exciting stage two of The Real Work Experience.

Exploring how designers can play a role in social improvement, we are asking young designers to consider what “The Real Work Experience” could do for them? Could it be an online network that bridges the gap between education and seeking (socially engaged) work? Could it be a mentoring program, or a regular series of events that discuss design’s wider potential? What do designers and graduates need, to be able to use their skills to tackle social issues? What does a movement toward socially responsible design look like to you?

Filed under: Art & Design, On Education, On Ethics, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, On Society, Design for Social Change, Graduates, Kate Andrews, Social Design, social responsibility, students, The Real Work Experience, ThinkPublic, University, Work Experience

Green Spin: Should we believe the hype?

On Friday evening, as part of the magnificent Greengaged hub of sustainability events (at London’s Design Council), a series of leading speakers will debate; “Should we believe the hype? Green Marketing, spin and substance.”

In 2007, 70% of the US’s GDP was generated from consumption. UK household waste has been growing by 2% – 3% per cent a year. The average shopper in the developed world shopper adds 3 tonnes of CO2 to their carbon footprint by simply buying stuff. Products and services are clicking on to the big sell of green. In the climate of economic down turn how can we create behaviour change in consumers who are bombarded by advertising and bored of green wash.

Chaired by Lucy Siegle from The Observer, the speakers include: Ed Gillespie (Futerra), Sophie Thomas (thomas.matthews), Stewart Rassier (Saatchi & Saatchi S), Richard George (Plane Stupid), Chris Sherwin (Forum for the Future), John Grant (author of The Green Marketing Manifesto).

To join the debate visit Greengaged.com and book your place! Kick off is at 6.30pm.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Culture, On Education, On Ethics, On People, On Research, On Social Design, On Society, On Sustainability, Green, greengaged, greenwash, London Design Festival 2008, sustainability, thomas matthews

Teal Triggs depicts ‘Scenes of Graphic London’

With the 2008 London Design Festival only a matter of days away, it is with great respect to read ‘Scenes of Graphic London’, an editorial piece written by Teal Triggs (Professor of Graphic Design, University of the Arts London). Highlighting the importance of Graphic Design to the UK capital, Triggs beautifully captures a timeline of the UK’s most iconic work, and intelligently pays respect to the changing faces of its future. You can download the full article from the London Design Festival website.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Culture, On Education, On Ethics, On Graphic Design, On People, On Research, On Social Design, creative, Design Writing, Graphic Design, london, London College of Communication, London Design Festival 2008, Scenes of Graphic London, Teal Triggs, UK

I Am Here, by Alex Ostrowski

Over the past week, I had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside the multi-talented Graphic Designer Alex Ostrowski. Alex, a 2008 UK Graphic Design graduate from Bristol’s University of West England, recently won the RSA and NESTA’s competition ‘Engage!’.

Tagged to “catalyse social change through design-led citizen participation”, the Engage! project, aimed to encourage social responsibility in young designers. The 2008 RSA Design Directions brief asked student designers to consider how they could best use design to bring about positive change within a community and instigate a project solution of this nature.

Filed under: On Education, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, Alex Ostrowski, Co-Design, Design Directions 2008, Engage!, graduate, Graphic Design, NESTA, RSA, Social Design

Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected World

This October sees the latest AIGA design educators’ conference address the social life of design. The event entitled Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected World, will be hosted by the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) on October 17-19, 2008. Co-chaired by Ellen Lupton, Jennifer Cole Phillips and fellow DesignSessions contributer Brockett Horne.

Graphic designers work with clients, institutions, users, and communities to make things happen in the world. Yet education often focuses on the individual voice. How are we preparing students for a lifetime of working with and for other people? How are our students connecting to the world? Come participate in a relaxed and stimulating weekend of lively discussions, hands-on workshops, and informal activities.

With the intention to host “dozens of presentations and workshops led by designers, educators, and graduate students”, this looks to be a thoroughly engaging event that is currently calling for speakers!

+ Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected World

Filed under: Art & Design, On Education, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, AIGA, Brockett Horne, Conference, Design, design education, Designers, Ellen Lupton, Graphic Design, Jennifer Cole Phillips, MICA, Social Studies, Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected Worl

Creative For A Cause

Last night I came across a magnificent online resource and initiative dedicated to socially conscious design, its name Creative For A Cause. Founded and set up by Denver based Graphic Designer Heidi Cies, Creative For A Cause (A Resource for Visual Communications Educators) aims to assist teaching social responsibility in design education.

“While social responsibility is being discussed more and more frequently within the Visual Communications industry and among educators today, no standards or guidelines currently exist to aid in the implementation of these concepts into the higher education curriculum. Where social responsibility is not already part of a Visual Communications program, and there is little or no administrative support for inclusion, it is left to individual instructors to decide how to best integrate this topic into their syllabi.

This site is a collaborative resource for educators of Visual Communications who wish to instruct their students on the importance of adopting a social and ethical approach to their work. If you know of additional resources that you feel would be of value, please contact us.” (Heidi Cies, Creative For A Cause).

Heidi, well done – this is a fantastic project that is certainly going to prove useful. I look forward to our future conversations.

+ Creative For A Cause
+ Via. Randy J. Hunt

Filed under: Art & Design, On Education, On Ethics, On Graphic Design, On People, On Research, On Social Design, On Society, Creative For A Cause, design education, ethical, heidi cies, Randy Hunt, resources, Social, Social Design, social responsibility, Syracuse, Visual Communication

Communication Designers Need to Catch Up Fast

Article for DesignSessions: Are You a Good Designer?

When I was first asked to contribute a piece on design ethics to Design Sessions: Notes on Design, I wondered how I could credibly comment on such a complex and highly academic topic. Whilst sitting at the early stages of my creative career, I wondered how many of us really understand what it means to be a “good” designer, and asked myself, if and how, I am a “good” (socially-responsible) designer?

Design Ethics

Throughout every stage of my creative training, I have echoed the belief that design is “quintessentially an ethical process” (Devon and Poel 2002). I strongly believe that Communication Design has a positive and negative ability to affect social change, but recognize that its influential power should be treated with respect and careful consideration, of its use, from all its designers.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Culture, On Education, On Ethics, On Graphic Design, On People, On Research, On Social Design, On Society, On Sustainability, Communication Design, design ethics, Ethics, future, Graphic Design, Kate Andrews, Social Design, Visual Communication

New Views 2: Conversations and Dialogue in Graphic Design

London College of Communication are hosting the New Views 2 Symposium and Exhibition this coming July, entitled “Conversations and Dialogue in Graphic Design”. Although the call for papers is now closed, the conference registration is online and a call for poster submissions is underway.

“By facilitating large and smaller more focused groups of delegates, New Views 2, aims to identify the challenges we are currently facing in graphic design, but more importantly proposing potential ways forward.”

The suggested themes that New Views 2 may cover:

Problems of defining terminology: visual communication, communication design, graphic design, information environments.

the role of graphic design for the ‘real world’.

graphic design and interdisciplinarity

graphic design and research methods

design writing/criticism and repositioning the debate

practice-led PhD research in the field of graphic design

responsive curriculums and shifting paradigms

research, innovation and new critical thinking

New Views 2 has asked for poster submissions that “through the use of graphic language, address the issues and the core themes of the conference and demonstrate the use of graphic design as a means to critique and reflect upon its future.” Individuals or groups, Design students, Design Faculty and Professional Design Studio submissions were all welcome (more details on the website) and the selected works will be included in the traveling exhibition and/or the digital exhibition. I look forward to seeing the online exhibition later in the year.

Symposium:
July 9 – 11, 2008
London College of Communication
University of the Arts London, UK

Exhibition:
9 – 21 July 2008
Opens in London and then travels to RMIT, Australia.
A digital exhibition will also be presented through the conference website.

+ New Views 2

Filed under: Art & Design, On Education, On Graphic Design, On Research, On Social Design, Communication Design, Conversations and Dialogue in Graphic Design, Design Criticism, Design Future, Design Research, Design Writing, LCC, London College of Communication, New Views 2, Social Design

John Thackara on Wodcast

Forever an inspiration voice, John Thackara is a symposiarch who designs events, projects, and organizations. Director of Doors of Perception (Doors), and author of the awe-inspiring publication, In the Bubble, John has for the last two years lead the Design of the Times (dott 07) project in North East England.

“If you attend certain events, read certain books or policy papers it is possible at the minute, to formulate a world view whereby design is the panacea of all ills.” Wodcast.

Recorded at Intersections07, Wodcast recently caught up with John to discuss the dott 07 project, design and social change, sustainability, and design education. Thackara explains how designers should not see themselves as the cause of social problems, or pretend to have all the answers to solve them. The interview is short but definately worth listening to.

All the Intersections Conference podcasts can be found at The Design Council website.

Filed under: On Education, On Ethics, On People, On Social Design, On Society, On Sustainability, Change, Culture, Design, design education, DOTT07, Intersections, interview, John Thackara, podcast, Social Change, Social Design, Society, sustainability, wodcast

Response to “What is Success?” by Ellen Lupton

Response to “What is Success” by Ellen Lupton, made on Thu Aug 30, 2007

Having recently immersed myself into Oliver James’ book Affluenza, this is a wonderfully topical discussion, which I have also been discussing with colleagues and students. Affluenza (which at most criticizes and abruptly awakens its readers to a money-grabbing, consumer “must-have” society), ultimately questions if success can be gained in any competitive industry and within any consumer-focused society. For example: Can a single ambition ever be experienced? As one success, ambition or goal is reached another one is created, superceding its previous. Therefore, I agree that a consistent “raising of the bar” (Jared Lantzman), certainly plays a part of being a “successful” designer. Why this is the case, however, is an entirely different discussion.

Success is subjective to personal ambition and at its core is defined by each individual. The problem I see however, is that success is taught initially by a grading matrix and later by an overly powerful “celebrity” culture (especially in the Design Industry). I believe being a successful Designer entails the creative ability to evolve and grow at the same pace that the industry does, yet whilst remaining unique in ones own ability and passion.

For me, my creative and professional success will be determined by any socially conscious contribution I make to the world around us, via the medium of Visual Communication; a combination of Design Methodology and Creative Intelligence. Making a difference is far more “successful” than merely making an impact and should the former be achieved, the latter tends to follow.

Great discussion Ellen.

Filed under: On Education, On Graphic Design, Ellen Lupton, Graphic Design, Success

Design Conferences are Conceptually Thin

After Jody Boehnert forwarded me a link to Rick Poynor’s recent critic of Design Conferences, for Creative Review, I have thought a lot about their impact/importance and relevance.

The celebrity culture that has developed in the design industry is not something I have followed since being a student, however I was quite shocked at the monochrome nature of responses to this article, which it would seem illustrates a dichotomy of current day designers.

Response made to Rick Poynor’s feature:

Many conferences are simply an exhibition of famous works, but as Rajesh comments, students will forever love the opportunity to meet/see/admire their favourite designers (and there is nothing wrong with admiring your inspirations). As we develop into professionals however, there is more to learn and think about than “new tricks and computer skills”. If everyone just learns how to recreate the same thing, designers will evolve into nothing but another form of technology.

We should be asking for a new kind of design event that gets its audience off the seats and use their talents to challenge current day social problems. I therefore agree that smaller interactive debates, discussions and workshops that consider social change will assist the Communication industry to evolve positively into the future, and perhaps eradicate the risk of stagnating its designers into aesthetically orientated tech-savvy talent.

+ Creative Review: Design Conferences. Isn’t it time we demanded more?

Filed under: Art & Design, On Culture, On Education, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, Creative Review, Design Conferences, Design Critic, design education, Rick Poynor

Interview: Deborah Szebeko

I have just listened to an interesting interview with Think Public’s Deborah Szebeko, via Wodcast.

Szebeko opens the discussion to talk through her definition of “Public Service Design”. She continues to discuss Think Public’s recent project “The Real Work Experience” – which I am ever more inspired by having (like many of those involved) left my BA degree in Graphic Design a bit lost at how to vehicle my work/skills/education toward positive change, rather than choosing a career path toward the more typical designer routes of advertising, for example. Szebeko further explains her motivation for starting Think Public and the Real Work Experience to have been driven from a frustration that designers have so little awareness as to where they can use their communication skills to design for greater good. Worth taking 12 mins to listen to the interview, if you haven’t come across Szebeko’s work yet.

Wodcast_thinkpublic.mp3

Filed under: On Education, On Ethics, On People, On Social Design, On Society, Deborah Szebeko, Ethics, Health, NHS, Public Service Design, Social Design, Think Public

Are you a “Good Designer”?

Amidst the feline army, I curled up on the sofa this afternoon, to finally finish reading Lucienne Roberts’ publication GOOD: An Introduction to Ethics in Graphic Design [2006]. An interesting read that presents a selection of opinions, from Ken Garland, Simon Eterson, Thomas Matthews, Deborah Szebeko of the magnificent ThinkPublic, Sheila Levrant de Bretteville and Pat Kahn to Daniel Eatock.

Truthfully, I was particularly taken by the inside front cover [of all things] – which captures an extensive collection of books and CDs, that [I can only imagine] are a selection of resources Roberts used as research for the discussion. Admittedly, to me, this image was the most personal visual used in the book - an authors touch that visually frames an introduction to the complex subject that is design ethics and [creative] social responsibility.

Starting at the beginning of ’Early Civilisation’ (p.21), Roberts takes the discussion through History, Philosophy (p.34), Law (p.44) and Politics (p.58), to a series of discussions with a collection of credible designers (p.113-192) – ultimately questioning what it means to be a “good designer”. I was taken by Paula Scher’s response, to which she responded: “I don’t understand how the word good is used here. Am I a well-behaved Graphic Designer? Am I socially conscious designer?”

For all designers interested in their work being more ethically or socially responsible, this introductory text offers plentiful food for thought over what is really takes to be a “good designer”. The text is a great introduction to design ethics, that I feel, should be mandatory reading for todays designers and undergraduates alike. On the topic of designer ethics, I came across an interesting article entitled In Search of Ethics in Graphic Design [2004] by Paul Nini, which I would also recommend reading.

Filed under: On Education, On Ethics, On Graphic Design, On Research, On Social Design, Book, Garland, GOOD Introduction to Ethics in Graphic Design, Graphic Design, Lucienne Roberts, Social Design

Innovation Triangle: Design London at RCA and Imperial

DesignLondon will develop, research and deliver radically new practices, tools and processes to transform the way businesses innovate, and translate their creativity into commercial success.

This new venture combines creativity and expertise in design from the Royal College of Art, engineering from Imperial College’s Faculty of Engineering and the business of innovation from Imperial College’s Tanaka Business School. It was established following the Cox Review: Creativity in Business that highlighted the need to stir together the scientific, engineering, business and creative design communities to enhance business and public sector innovation.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Education, On Graphic Design, On Research, On Social Design, Creativity in Business, DesignLondon, Imperial College, Innovation, Public Sector Innovation, RCA, Research, Royal College of Art

The History of Visual Communication

With thanks to Core77 for crediting Turkish artist, designer, and educator Elif Ayiter responsible for putting together the [visually enthralling] chronological History of Visual Communication.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Culture, On Education, On Graphic Design, On Research, On Typography, Education, Elif Ayiter, Graphic Design, History, Technology, The History of Visual Communication, Typography

Good 50×70 is Back!

GOOD 50×70 is back for 2008! Good 50×70, the initiative that ‘promotes awareness amongst the creative community of the power they have to be a force for good,’ is back for its second year.

Entrants are asked to design posters (on as many briefs as they wish) and the best submissions will be selected by a jury of graphic design luminaries [listed below] and given to the supporting seven charities to use for global campaigns. For 2008, seven briefs fall under the themes of: Child Mortality, Global Warming, Human Rights Violation, Hunting, STDs, War Victims and Water Scarcity.

Filed under: On Education, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, 2008, Awareness, Charity, Competition, Good 50x70, Graphic Design, poster, Social Design, Visual Communication

Design|Value

Singapore’s Design Management Institute present Design|Value, a unique international conference that aims to demonstrate how to use design and design thinking to solve business objectives. On 13-14 March 2008, at Grand Hyatt in Singapore, a panel of international experts, will communicate how to create value through design, based on the triple bottom line: economic, social/cultural, and environmental value.

Filed under: On Education, On Events, On Social Design, On Society, Business, Conference, Design Management Institute, Design Thinking, Design|Value, DMI, Singapore, Social Design