Modern Design is human centric in the sense that it has always endeavoured to solve problems from a user's standpoint. It is sensitive to human concerns, ergonomics, sensibilities and aesthetics.
Really?!
Indian Designers educated in a system that developed and flourished in a completely different milieu got so caught up in their training that they forgot to try and understand the 'Indian' ecosystem. This has led to chaotic solutions that, far from solving problems, create untold misery to many people.
Admittedly, this ecosystem exists on many levels and has a prominent 'International' dimension to it especially in the marketplace of desires and aspirations. Is catering to this alone, enough?
A large majority of people who were hitherto unseen and unheard are joining the mainstream and are bringing with them habits, desires and aspirations rooted in a diverse and plural past.
Designers must understand this if they are not to become irrelevant to the emerging processes and needs of a more comprehensive and democratic reality.
We must embrace diversity and plurality and once again put the human being at the centre of our design processes. All human beings.
Finding long forgotten 'voices'
Really?!
Indian Designers educated in a system that developed and flourished in a completely different milieu got so caught up in their training that they forgot to try and understand the 'Indian' ecosystem. This has led to chaotic solutions that, far from solving problems, create untold misery to many people.
Admittedly, this ecosystem exists on many levels and has a prominent 'International' dimension to it especially in the marketplace of desires and aspirations. Is catering to this alone, enough?
A large majority of people who were hitherto unseen and unheard are joining the mainstream and are bringing with them habits, desires and aspirations rooted in a diverse and plural past.
Designers must understand this if they are not to become irrelevant to the emerging processes and needs of a more comprehensive and democratic reality.
We must embrace diversity and plurality and once again put the human being at the centre of our design processes. All human beings.
Finding long forgotten 'voices'
Originally a set of slides complimenting a talk at a Design Education seminar on the occasion of DDS15 at Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay, Mumbai on 15 June 2015
Finding long forgotten 'voices'
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