designBytes 11.29.10

designBytes

11.29.2010
Welcome to designBytes, the electronic newsletter of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). Here's the latest design and design-related news we've collected from around the Web.

  • From the Desk of Don Norman, IDSA: He has written nearly three dozen columns for interactions magazine during the last five years. You’ve probably read many of them. We certainly have. Whether you agree or disagree with him, Norman’s writings are always a catalyst for great conversations about how industrial design is practiced. In a recently released essay, he reflects on his own work and some of the conversations it had stirred up: http://interactions.acm.org/content/?p=1428.

  • More From the Desk of Don Norman, IDSA: “Designers have become applied behavioral scientists, but they are woefully undereducated for the task. Designers often fail to understand the complexity of the issues and the depth of knowledge already known. They claim that fresh eyes can produce novel solutions, but then they wonder why these solutions are seldom implemented, or if implemented, why they fail.” The problem, Norman tells us, stems from design education: http://www.core77.com/blog/columns/why_design_education_must_change_17993.asp.

  • The Challenge of Merging Design with Business: Remember when Helen Walters shared text of her speech articulating the value of design within any business model? Naturally, it has inspired a bit of discussion on the topic. One thoughtful comment comes from Niti Bhan, who writes about design legacies and the inevitability of collaboration eclipsing competition: http://aaltodesignfactory.fi/blogs/nitibhan/2010/11/on-the-challenge-of-merging-business-with-design/.

  • Alberto Alessi Speaks: Actually, he spoke several times during a recent trip around the United States. He also smells. He “smells the spirit of his times.” Co.Design’s Linda Tischler shares notes from a talk he delivered last week at the Cooper Hewitt. Alessi’s talk featured classic design stories involving Richard Sapper, Alessandro Mendini, Aldo Rossi, Philippe Starcke and Enzo Mari. http://www.fastcodesign.com/1662761/alberto-alessi-sounds-off-on-the-companys-biggest-design-disasters.

  • Designing the End of Throwaway Culture: When DIY meets sustainability, we get lessons in how to design for repair. Yet, there are a number of consumer products common in the West that are rather difficult to fix with your own two hands. Ravi Sawhney, FIDSA argues that designers can produce more sustainable work by encouraging an enhanced, more hands-on sense of ownership among users. http://www.fastcodesign.com/1662687/we-dont-repair-our-gadgets-but-designers-can-fix-that.

  • Five Policy Strategies for U.S. Clean Energy Innovation: Perhaps we should say “five suggestions for policy strategies.” The ideas outlined in a recently released report from the Kaufman Foundation are merely that—suggestions. Could the proposed policy strategies successfully accelerate the scaling of U.S. clean energy business? Have a look at the executive summary of the report and let us know your thoughts: http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/21468.

  • Challenges Facing South African Designers: The South African design community has matured right alongside the country itself in recent decades. But South African designers are still fighting for respect from both their country’s government and the business community. Their struggle, in part, is a struggle for identity. Here’s a look at the challenges facing South African designers—and the opportunities available to them: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/designing-the-future-of-industry-2010-11-26.

  • Learning How to Use Design Thinking: More than 70 people workshopped in Sweden recently to figure out some workable methodologies. What learnings did the PIEp yield? They learned about the value of extreme users, how a Formula 1 racing team can inspire and the power of an ATM kiosk. For a recap of the workshop, click here: http://www.innovationmanagement.se/2010/11/29/learning-how-to-use-design-thinking/.

  • Three Artists Every Designer Should Know: How familiar are you with Umberto Boccioni, Constantin Brancusi and Isamu Noguchi? On Core77, Michael DiTullo gives us a primer on each artist that provides a welcome consideration of how physical design can encourage any of us to take the trouble to live our life with care and thought for its quality: http://www.core77.com/blog/education/3_artists_every_designer_should_know_17996.asp.

  • What's Happening This Week(s):
    • Nov. 30: Talk | Eric Olson (LA)
    • Dec. 1: OPEN | Submit for IDEA 2011 (ONLINE)
    • Dec. 1: Presentations from IDEA 2010 Winners (Boston)
    • Dec. 2: Workshop | Capturing and Understanding Human Experiences (Dallas)
    • Dec. 4: Workshop | How to Make Mistakes on Purpose (Pittsburgh)
    • Dec. 8: Holiday Party | Chicago (Chicago)
    • Dec. 9: IDSA | SOC Holiday Dinner Party (Cincinnati)
    • Dec. 9: IDSA NW Winter Social (Seattle)
    • Dec. 10: Holiday Party | LEGO Building with IDSA.NYC (NYC)
    • Dec. 14: RESCHEDULED | Bay Area’s Best (San Francisco)
    • Jan. 1, 2011: DEADLINE | Indiana Honors Design Award (Indiana)


    For more info, visit the Events Page at http://www.idsa.org/events. To include your upcoming event, please e-mail it to designBytes@idsa.org.

    Want to advertise in designBytes? Please e-mail Beth Harrington or go here to learn about all of IDSA’s sponsorship opportunities.



designBytes (dB) is a service of IDSA. If you have any news for dB, please e-mail designBytes@idsa.org.

The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is committed to advancing the profession of industrial design through education, information, community and advocacy.

© 2010 Industrial Designers Society of America
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Submitted by tadkins on January 18, 2011 - 6:16pm