Ken,
Sorry,
have been travelling (a lot) and sent my too strong a message after
reading the list. Please could you forward your replies as they for some
reason didn't get through - probably were deleted with a lot of junk email.
Design chasm had evolved into the same old stance - and it ignited the
original 'turf' passion again - and that's what engendered the weak retort
about leaving design to the professionals.
On top of this - two recent trips to top design agencies - and
conversations with professional designers (European) have me convinced
design as a profession in the west - is about to go down the tubes.
Why?
1. Chinese have come a very long way in design - almost self sufficient -
will be in two years, (this view was repeated).
2. Design in this environment is total commodity. Like tooling, injection
molding and assembly it will move offshore.
3. We are training designers for a workplace that will probably shrink by
90% in 2-5 years.
4. What do we do?
When I use the phrase commercial artists - I mean maybe we (as designers)
should look more to self expression as a way forward.
If we make beautiful artefacts, interfaces and objects - that hopefully
appeal - maybe there is life in design.
We are returning to an arts and crafts mode whether we like it or not.
Glenn Johnson
Industrial Design Manager
Industrial Design Studio, B/E Aerospace Inc.
1455 Fairchild Rd. Winston-Salem NC 27105-4588 USA
Tel. (1) 336 744 3143 Fax. (1) 336 744 3207
B/E Industrial Design Studio
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