What design can do 2012: Day 2

VISI reporter Christine Shaw recently returned from the inaugural What Design Can Do conference in Amsterdam, an annual gathering for design professionals, company leaders and government officials from across the globe. WDCD celebrates the power of design and its problem-solving abilities, exposing design as a catalyst of change and renewal and a way of addressing the societal questions of our time. Here’s Christine’s review of the second day of this exciting new global design event:

Well today started off with a BANG! Kees Dorst got us all going with his theories, which turned into public experiments and then into actual projects of how to Design Out Crime. Thinking we need some of this back home… not that I think we aren’t doing anything about it. Kees has spent the past few years doing research into how designers think and how this process can be used for other things. Maybe we could learn from his research and apply it in our many communities and public spaces, which need new life and connection.

I then joined a workshop Kees held, where we went out into the streets of Amsterdam with the intention of finding out what makes a public space feel safe, and why people feel safe or unsafe? These are definitely questions we need to think about. Research is essential if we are going to use design to help make the lives of other better.

Then Katherine Clarke, a British architect, came on stage and blew us all away with her project in White Chapel. Their approach which “did not emphasize building but generated change in problematic urban areas through investigation, negotiation, diplomacy and play” was very refreshing. I think we can learn so much from projects like these and turn them into something that will work for and inspire our communities.

The last speaker, Alphadi, a fashion designer from Niger came on with his eccentric ways and designs. To be honest I wasn’t too sure how fashion design was going to change the world or peoples lives, but I was put in my place very quickly. Alphadi has been in this industry for many years, and has worked hard to make a well-established name for himself, starting the FIMA fashion show in the desert a while back. This event temporarily stopped the turmoil in Niger… which is proof that Design really can change things. He is a fierce and passionate promoter of African design. ‘Our goal is to teach young people to love design and fashion, to stimulate black talent, and to make black, yellow and white become one’. Amazing words from this talented man who is charging ahead and opening doors for African talent.

This trip really has inspired me beyond ways I can explain, and I feel changed. Next time SA should send over a contingent of design representatives for the next What Design Can Do conference. Next year’s theme: COLLABORATION. Think that’s something we in CT know a little something about.

Last night was the final after party, and what a party it was. We all received a book from the event which was put together during the event and was printed and published to be ready for the last day. Amazing. I guess the one thing Design Indaba doesn’t have that this conference did, was the break out brainstorm sessions with the speakers. What an amazing time to actually connect with the speakers and ask questions about what they are doing. I really enjoyed this aspect of the conference. In a brief chat with Richard van der Larken who is one of the Co-Founders of the conference, I expressed how maybe next year more African designers could present so lets see what happens. Richard seems to have a real passion for design: promoting all aspects of it and using it in all its glory to really help others.

Lets all try to do more with the skills we have, and find out how our skills can change this world.

Again, I have to emphasize that this trip would not have been possible without the help of these forward thinking companies, so check out their sites and make sure you go to the right people for the job.

The company I work for, Collaboration, one of the top design companies in CT .

One of our main suppliers, Albert Carpets | flooring experts 

Another one of our suppliers, Lavo | bathroom specialist and of course Visi for collaborating in bringing this event to you.

Disclaimer: Christine’s trip to WDCD has been sponsored in part by Collaboration design studio, Albert Carpets flooring experts, and Lavo bathroom specialists.