More on activism
Ever noticed when you start thinking about a word or a topic, it starts popping up everywhere? Found this great discussion over at Ann Thorpe’s blog:
Within the professional design framework there is little space for activism. At best, designers can legitimize activism by finding “win-win” solutions that meet client profit-making needs while also addressing social concerns. At worst, designers might find themselves using the activism associated with current social trends (eg concern over climate change) merely as a guide to enhancing consumer appeal for buildings, clothing, products and the like. “Greenwashing” is a classic example, where ecological concerns are addressed superficially (eg stating that “the package is recyclable” although no facilities actually exist to recycle the material) with the main aim of enhancing a product’s competitiveness and profitability.
The whole article is worth reading (and has a wealth of sources to plunder/add to wishlists too) but i shall be pondering this question for the next while:
How does design reconcile its conventional role as servant to commercial clients and their users with its potential role as transformative change agent and societal leader (read public service/not-for-profit sectors of the economy)? Does it have to? Will it remain primarily a ‘change agent for hire’?
Good question – any takers?
Its called serendipity Mel (now that will pop up everywhere!)… Are designers agents of change – should they be? Great question but they are after all translating the requirements of the client and end users into reality – hence the change or activism should be coming from that quarter. Where I have notice this is in the transition movement – and in the handbook review just posted up to my blog, and in loads of small but successful social enterprises such as the Kasmiri Youth Projects Unicorn Mill in Rochdale – both real change and activism, from the community, creating maybe a swell to tipping point against the mainstream paradigms. Designers articulate and influence such change.