One of my favourite quotations is "What is the difference between an artist and a craftsperson? A craftsperson know what they want to make and how to do it, an artist knows neither" In part of our iterative design process there must be the place, if you like, for serendipity, for failure, for boundary-breaking. How would you encourage that sense of playful exploration?
The topic of "what is design?" in the structural engineering space came up this morning and it was interesting to see how two people of broadly similar background had very different ideas. To one "design" was developing the concept, the overall form, possibly the materials to be used. To the other "design" was the calculation of the sizes of the sections, the calculation of the required quantities of reinforcing steel, and the size and location of bolts in a connection.
Computers and software free up the Engineer to spend more time on the former by automating the latter... but are they both really design?
Before "What is Design?" I have a question "Why Design?" Is this to fulfil the necessities of human? If so it will be called as invention right(As necessity is mother of invention)? Is there anything which can change this thought process of designing, which is more straight, effective and efficient? Can we consider design as set decisions? Or is it a creative thinking of people/animals(I have mentioned animals because, I feel animals will also evolve and design, even human is also an animal :-) ) involved in that task?
Thank you for starting and sharing this exciting journey through words and concepts!
I have a question: what is "bad design"? To be able to understand and appreciate "good design", I believe it necessitates from its counterpart (other half, nemesis, you name it). Similarly to Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" (I used to love reading about Greek Mythology and Philosophy), if one has always been exposed to bad design (or good design) how could recognise one from another?
Also, design/s evolve over time. Is it possible to establish a clean cut between designing and making? Personally, seeing it more like an iterative process, does design stop when making starts?
Great conversation starter! I will follow this with interest
I look forward to your upcoming newsletters, and to gain some insight and perspective into this evolving industry.
One of my favourite quotations is "What is the difference between an artist and a craftsperson? A craftsperson know what they want to make and how to do it, an artist knows neither" In part of our iterative design process there must be the place, if you like, for serendipity, for failure, for boundary-breaking. How would you encourage that sense of playful exploration?
The topic of "what is design?" in the structural engineering space came up this morning and it was interesting to see how two people of broadly similar background had very different ideas. To one "design" was developing the concept, the overall form, possibly the materials to be used. To the other "design" was the calculation of the sizes of the sections, the calculation of the required quantities of reinforcing steel, and the size and location of bolts in a connection.
Computers and software free up the Engineer to spend more time on the former by automating the latter... but are they both really design?
Hello David,
Before "What is Design?" I have a question "Why Design?" Is this to fulfil the necessities of human? If so it will be called as invention right(As necessity is mother of invention)? Is there anything which can change this thought process of designing, which is more straight, effective and efficient? Can we consider design as set decisions? Or is it a creative thinking of people/animals(I have mentioned animals because, I feel animals will also evolve and design, even human is also an animal :-) ) involved in that task?
Thanks
Thank you for starting and sharing this exciting journey through words and concepts!
I have a question: what is "bad design"? To be able to understand and appreciate "good design", I believe it necessitates from its counterpart (other half, nemesis, you name it). Similarly to Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" (I used to love reading about Greek Mythology and Philosophy), if one has always been exposed to bad design (or good design) how could recognise one from another?
Also, design/s evolve over time. Is it possible to establish a clean cut between designing and making? Personally, seeing it more like an iterative process, does design stop when making starts?
Looking forward for more :-)