Did You See That ID?

What is design?
Over the course of this semester, I have gotten the much needed time to think about design. To figure out a definition, to figure out why I like certain designers, and where I’m headed. Frankly, I’m not that much closer to those answers, but I have learned a great deal trying to get there. As it turns out, the process of designing follows a similar winding trail. Researching, sketching, rendering, presenting, and repeating. This continuous cycle begins and ends with questions. A great designer is never done designing (but is aided in decision making thanks to deadlines). Although this class was not structured like a typical art history survey, I’ve come to realize that’s because design does not work in the same way. Yes, there have been major schools and figures throughout its history, yet ID is much more complex than a simple line graph can show. This is because design is not simply a car, toy, or table. It does not sit idle in some remote gallery, it’s everywhere, everyday. Some people have so much ID, they don’t know where to store it (I suppose you could store it in…well another variety of ID). Others don’t have as much as we do, so we ID for them. Because everything man made was (at one point or another) designed, it is safe to say design is one of the most influential career paths.

But why do we ID?
I’m beginning to believe we design because we want to see what comes next. We want to be there when that great idea comes and spreads like wildfire. We want to inspire, help, and share, to make someone laugh halfway around the world. Designers have quite the responsibility. Not only do they reflect and express culture, they also help create it. Hopefully for the better, designers affect the lives of a countless number of people (not to mention the rest of nature). They have to realize when systems no longer work, and be able to look back at the ones that did. Designers know the importance of observation and curiosity.

I’m most attracted to design that functions parallel to art. I find beauty in materials, context, and the process of design. I enjoy things that withstand the test of time because they are simple, and natural. I'm interested in cognitive science, sociology, technology, engineering, sculpture, performance, but most importantly, where they all converge. I like to imagine my future self designing goods that make people happy without making life worse for others. No, not every designer needs to attempt to save the world (hopefully a few keep trying), but every designer needs to design consciously. While being conscious of the here-and-now, it’s also important to keep one foot over the LOTF (ledge of the future). If we’re not willing to take the risk, will anybody else go for it?