Design for Living Complexities

"Creativity, although important, is secondary to understanding. First understand, then create 'based upon that understanding', (then iterate)."

see esp. Transformational Deisgn Transformational Design: 1) Defining and redefining the brief: Whereas traditionally designers are brought in to follow a brief, the transformation design approach involves an analysis of the wider implications of a design problem. 2) Collaboration between disciplines: Recognizing that complex problems need to be addressed through a multI-faceted approach, we rely on collaboration for results. 3) Employing participatory design techniques: Advocating bottom-up design methodology - involving users and front-line workers in the design process. Making the design process more accessible to 'non-designers'. 4) Building capacity not dependency: Transformational design seeks to leave behind not only a designed solution, but the tools, skills and organizational capacity to respond to change. 5) Designing beyond traditional solutions & 'systems thinking'. Applying design skills in non-traditional territories, and also creating non-traditional design outputs. 'Systems thinking' is the ability to consider an issue holistically rather than reductively. 6) Creating fundamental change: Transformational design aims high: to fundamentally transform systems and cultures.

by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, Jill Butler

2008 conference

"a Research Lab in the design department (INDACO) of the Politecnico di Milano [that] focuses on the visual representation of complex social, organizational and urban phenomena"