Hi All
The critic opens a dialogue in whatever area it
relates, and helps the evolution of that area
increasing the knowledge to the professionals and
others, and to the evolution of that area practical
field.
That is also truth to the area of design. I agree that
the current theme of design criticism is of increased
value for all. Could it be design as a whole or a
specific field, the rational critique is an evolution
tool in our hands. But we got a problem, because the
design criticism is not always seen by us as a field
worth to be supported by our intellectual activity. It
is just seen as a waste of time and resources. We must
realise that the all idea of not supporting the design
critic owes himself to the inexistence of culture of
self-criticism and to the lack of intellectual tools
for such endeavour.
I think that design critic must function primarily as
a self-imposed condition to the designer. This must be
a question of an increasingly discussion in design
schools. Are we preparing the students to better do
objects, or are making them think (and give them the
entire intellectual tools for that) the objects and
design? If we have a well developed system of
self-critic, then we are more prepared to criticize
externally and also, to receive external criticism.
To this self-, and external-, criticism, the field
must be understood. In my opinion, the field of design
criticism is divided in three sub-fields: the
criticism of the form (the hagiography of the Gunnar
post in Speak Up); the criticism of values (ethical,
political, sociological notions); and, the criticism
of theory (the philosophical, theoretical,
methodological notions). This is connected with a well
developed network of knowledge. This need of
epistemological enhancement, supports good critique,
and boosts the creativity and innovation. But this
does not always happen. i. e.: in my country,
Portugal, the criticism is always seen as a form of a
destructive vision of something, and this notion is
very well connect with the feeling of envy. (there was
recently a book of a known Portuguese philosopher,
“Portugal Hoje, O Medo de Existir” of José Gil, trying
to explain some defects of the sociological cultural
of the Portuguese culture, and one of them was
precisely the feeling of envy and how that leads to
non-action), in this I show how the social culture
could influence the criticism.
This is some of my notions of design(ing) criticism,
but I am open to critique. :-)
best
Luis Inacio
Luís Inácio
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Designer de Comunicação | Communication Designer
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Direcção da Desígnio | Direction of Desígnio
http://www.designio.com.sapo.pt
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