Alice Rawsthorn on Good Design

On Sunday 28 June 2009 at London’s Conway Hall, Alice Rawsthorn (design critic of the International Herald Tribune, columnist for the New York Times and a leading authority on contemporary design) will host a ‘sermon’ at The School of Life entitled “Alice Rawsthorn on Good Design”.

Filed under: Art & Design, On Ethics, On Events, On People, On Social Design, On Writing & Criticism, Alice Rawsthorn, Good Design, Social Impact, The School of Life, What is Good Design

We Live Now, by Eric Smith

After being diagnosed with a life threatening disease, Washington based artist and illustrator Eric Smith set up We Live Now, a project consisting of a growing collection of quotes, thoughts, stories, lyrics, creations and other various mediums that pursue the idea of living now and inspiring each of us to grow, live meaningful lives and be happy! “Our lives are only in the moments right in front of us.”

Thanks to Chris Clarke for this discovery!

Filed under: On Graphic Design, On Social Design, On Writing & Criticism, Chris Clarke, Eric Smith, Graphic Design, Social Design, We Live Now

Design (writing) matters, like never before.

(Image: Formulaic by Frank Chimero)

Borrowing five powerful words from David Berman’s new book “Do Good Design: How Designers Can Change the World”, I recently wrote a short essay exploring the relationship of design writing, criticism and the concept of ‘good’ design. Today, Berlin’s new SocialDesignBlog.org have published the feature – Design matters, like never before.

Great to see Lauren Tan already picking up on the discussion.

Filed under: On Ethics, On Graphic Design, On Social Design, On Writing & Criticism, Design, Design Criticism, Design Writing, Do Good Design, Kate Andrews, Online Writing

An Unchained Interview

Back in December 2008, I interviewed Lea Simpson, co-founder of Unchained, the online guide to independent shopping in London and New York. Behance Magazine have published the interview today, so do take a look to find out more!

Filed under: On Ethics, On People, On Social Design, On Sustainability, On Writing & Criticism, Lea Simpson, Unchained

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