Regarding the angry student about design research vs. solving world
hunger...
I've always been a passive observer on the email list, but am compelled to
chime in on this subject..
I started in art and design, moved into social sciences and urban planning,
and today run a company specialized in post-war reconstruction. I've
successfully completed projects in gang-violence reduction, conflict
stabilization, and market creation is some of the world's most difficult
regions including Afghanistan and Somalia. But what makes these projects
successful, I believe, is that I approach them an interdisciplinary
designer. There is a focus on stakeholders, materials, process, and
physical results. In fact, when I discovered the book "This is Service
Design" I was surprised to discover the processes were nearly identical to
the work I've been doing for years!
I mention all this because I see no reason to distinguish between design,
research, or humanitarian themes. If someone feels they are applying their
talents toward a *lesser cause*, then it is the fault of that individual to
not creatively apply their talents to their priorities. Notably, not
everyone needs to rush off toward famines and wars, in fact its exhausting
and not recommended. Likewise, not everyone needs to care about these
particular issues. Creating the perfect toaster oven can be just as
important. In fact, those items can be critical for those of us 'on the
front lines' and allow us to do our job better.
So please, if your goal is to create the ultimate espresso machine, book
jacket, or merchandise delivery system, realize your work is just as
important as solving issues of hunger, war, and poverty. As referenced
earlier, the varying contributions can improve the world at an aggregate
level, but (selfishly I admit) those products can provide us in the field
a moment of respite and balance amid an otherwise bleak and disparaging
backdrop.
Now if only I could find a decent espresso machine for less than 200 USD in
Kabul...
Mitchell Sutika Sipus
Urban Planning and Development
Website: mitchellsipus.com
Blog: thehumanitarianspace.com
Twitter: @msipus
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