Napkin Sketch – On the impact of Design
Created by Bruce Mau, who is not so much interested in the world of design, as in the design of the world.
What is Next Nature?
With our attempts to cultivate nature, humankind causes the rising of a next nature, which is wild and unpredictable as ever. Wild systems, genetic surprises, autonomous machinery and splendidly beautiful black flowers. Nature changes along with us.
Discussion
One could argue whether design is ‘inferior’ to business in the left part of the image, no? –> There doesn’t have to be a relationship between these two concepts and/or their impact could be equally great.
This feels like a play on words. Design as part of business is a discrete practice, while design more broadly is philosophical, definitional and all encompassing.
I agree with urbanaesthete that it is a word game, however this napkin sketch could also explain for some misunderstandings within the design community.. The left part presents ‘design’ merely as a servant of industry (lets face it: this is what a lot of designers are making there living with), whereas the right part depicts design in a much broader sense (more as a cultural force).
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At the rare moments that I am attending ‘design weeks’ or ‘design awards’, I always feel a strong tension between the two interpretations. The napkin sketch helps me understand the schizophrenia within the field.
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Oh and in case you were wondering: yes I do feel much more comfortable on the right part of the napkin sketch.
Design must be understood as a cultural force. But in next nature, we must understand it as a natural phenomena.