Posted by sabine7
Interview | 12 Jul 07 | Comments (5)
“Design will save the world” is the motto of the Art Lebedev design studio in Moscow and it seems that this design group intends on going about this through the use of humour, semiotics and practical application in their products. A motto like this is open to interpretation, of course, but we wanted to know exactly what Art Lebedev meant when it was chosen. Some recent product launches include the Dispensum tape dispenser, a sleek and simple item made from one strip of metal and heavy enough to stay put, and the Vilcus Plug Dactyloadapter, which is basically a place to stick your fingers, since sockets are never big enough.
Artemy, please tell us your views of how design will save the world.
My personal definition of design lacks the word 'art'. Design is almost any meaningful human activity. Obviously, meaningful human activity should save the world.
The world is already full of 'stuff' – as designers, why do you choose to create more?
'Stuff' is our by-product. Actually we're designers, not stuff-makers.
It can be funny [and sad] to be provocative in an arena like design which has almost no criticism, just general directives.
It's hard to argue with Artemy's circular logic: design-any meaningful activity- activity saves world- design saves world. So yeah, doing something will probably result in more than not.
Can we get an elaboration on the word 'art' he's not including? hope he reads the comments of his PR. I'm interested.
That's the first place I'd start to " Save the world" a tape dispenser. It also seems nonsensical to suggest the word "Design" is only about " meaningful human activity " because it's such a broad term. The question is in this case does another tape dispenser improve human activity , where a picture or sculpture requires no activity involved, it's value is purely visual , i fail to see the value here .
Well, kids...It looks like we're going to have to call B.S. on this poser.
But I like his design/pirate look.
Kahoneez...
Any item which is designed to not break (ie. is not plastic) and uses as little raw product as possible will certainly help 'save the world'. That dispenser looks as if it would last a lifetime, compared with the 3-4 plastic fantastics I have kicking around.
Defining design is an endless circular activity in itself. Certainly anything made or created is designed so 'meaningful human activity' is basically true. You can 'design' how you use time, 'design' how you interact with people. Defining design is an endless circular activity in itself...
Not sure how "a picture or sculpture requires no activity involved, it's value is purely visual" could be justified. Visual interpretation is surely a fairly intense activity for the viewer - perception, memory, etc. etc.
I would ask how he might justify the design of the Optimus keyboard as helping save the world. With it's myriad of plastic parts, moulding, oleds etc. But then again I just want one.
svrdlu...
endless intellectualization and rationalization, none of which would occur if the designer hadn't created the blustery, egotistical motto about his designs saving the world.
you sound like all the design students in the Pratt cafeteria.
circular bullcrap is what this all is.