#DesignMonth: Design industry in a critical place of opportunity

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The South African context is characterised by social, economic and environmental challenges. While these present many problems, a rich and layered tapestry or canvas emerges defined by multi-cultural complexity, to which design must respond. It is precisely complexity that pushes the boundaries of innovation; to create ‘master-pieces’ with scarce resources, in a place where the discarded and waste may become materials of craft. This must be considered as fuel to the creative industries, which are diverse, yet have one element in common - the conceptual ability to perceive opportunities far beyond the apparent and to conceive the unimaginable; to redefine and transform space into place for people, and waste into craft and objects of beauty. This raises numerous possibilities for the adaptive reuse of space and materials in innovative and responsive design.

Timing is critical

While place impacts design, time is vital to the sustainability and worth of design. Timing is critical in the value of design and it is precisely time that distinguishes the creative design disciplines - while the aging of architecture spans centuries, fashion may change within weeks and the virtual design environment even in lesser time. It, therefore, becomes apparent that conceptual design thinking is fundamentally influenced by the perception of place in time. As the different design disciplines perceive place in time differently, their methods and processes of design will differ.

Contemporary society demands design innovation and novelty, but also identity and belonging; the expression of self while being part of community. This is a hybrid, in-between space for design, which must respond to instant time needs as well as the timeless. The individualistic, objective, iconic, obvious and bold, which seem to fetch high value in urban culture, must therefore be situated in place, which would have evolved over time. In this place-time “paradigm”, the novelty of fashion would show off against the timelessness of place, defined by architecture, landscape and urban space.

Design industries disconnected

I therefore posit that it is this place-time “paradigm” that brings design disciplines together, as all design industries affect the quality of place. Design industries are, however, quite disconnected which is counter-intuitive to the advancement of society and urban culture, therefore the need for interdisciplinary collaboration cannot be overstated. It is the bringing together of different intelligences and experiences that will take all design disciplines beyond their existing limits to transform place, where the city, town or village becomes a dynamic interplay of design forms, enhancing the existing complexity of society. The future of urban place must therefore be considered the responsibility of all design disciplines. It is critical and urgent that design industries start to collaborate in order to create new conversations in design, expressing unique narratives that respond to place and time. This is the critical place of opportunity for the design industry.