The Tangible Entangle

How can design assist in radical times for the world’s future crisis?

The Anthropocene era will bring numerous challenges to the world in the next decade. Design is gaining recognition as a field for political action, shifting its focus from aesthetics and consumption to contribute to the greater good.

This is a brief summary of my master's thesis in Design Strategies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The research aims to develop a Design Taxonomy that collates multiple concepts, theories, and methods relevant to the forthcoming crisis era.

Project details

Client

Master's of Design - Thesis

Project

The Tangible Entangle

Year

2020

Services

Design Research Meta Design Editorial Design

Credits

Jiselle Orozco - Branding

Category

Meta Design, Design Research, Editorial Design.

My Role

Masters in Strategic Design Thesis.

Problem Statement

Numerous studies indicate that the planet and humanity are on a path towards severe crises in the next decade. These include ecological collapse and significant technological and scientific disruption, driven by humanity's inability to address growing "wicked problems."

Hypothesis

Design is a tool for addressing the world’s future crisis to enhance humanity and the planet mutually.

Key personal challenge(s)/learning(s)

The biggest challenge in writing my master's thesis was organising my thoughts and ideas effectively. I had to create a clear structure, work within deadlines, and process a vast amount of information. Another key aspect was reflecting on my role and responsibilities as both a designer and a person. In the end, I concentrated on exploring the philosophical foundations of design and how they connect to a broader system of values.

Solution and Impact - What?

The Tangible Entangle is a proposal for a Design Taxonomy, categorising and organising various concepts and resources for research about design (Figure 1). This study aims to democratise design knowledge, making it accessible to everyone, not just designers. As Cross (1999, p. 5) notes, "design is a natural human ability." The future of the planet depends on the collective efforts of all humanity, not just designers.

Framework - How?

This work is grounded in Speculative Design, Foresight, Backcasting, Storytelling, and Critical Design. The future scenario is the result of a comprehensive study and analysis, culminating in a framework proposal that leverages design's adaptability to tackle "wicked problems" with meta-poietic flexibility.

My framework (Figure 2) builds upon the knowledge gained from secondary research, integrating different epistemic cultures. Its ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between theory and design practice, as well as education, through the entire Design Ecosystem Model (Figure 3).

Design Education & Study Dissemination

Design draws upon human experiences, skills, and consciousness to appreciate and adapt to various environments. This process creates an active system (axiology network) for its dissemination in society and the planet.The dissemination of design is rooted in education. By bridging the gap between humanities (language) and sciences (notion), design fills the "third area in education," as Bruce Archer describes it (Figure 4).

My Design Definition

Design is the epistemic exploration of multiple approaches to address complexity and attain desirable futures.

Many design philosophers, scholars, theorists, and professors have influenced my design definition. Throughout this thesis, various thinkers are referenced, including Victor Papanek, Humberto Maturana, Arturo Escobar, Tony Fry, Anne-Marie Willis, Ezio Manzini, and others. These influential guides have played a significant role in shaping this research.

The Tangible Entangle - Method

The Design Taxonomy consists of three domains: characters, spaces, and systems. By organizing these fields, the intention is to classify, categorize, and poeticize (Rolfe, 2017). The synergies, connections, and echoes that emerge from this classification will broaden the scope of the hypothesis.

The card deck provided alongside this work is a tool designed for both educational and practical purposes. The characters, systems, and spaces presented are intended to be reflective in different contexts and applicable to various design challenges.

Conclusion & Next Steps

This Design Taxonomy aims to synthesize knowledge, spark curiosity among designers, and potentially inspire them to redefine their understanding and practice of design.

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