Accidental Vagrant

 

RSD9 is coming up soon. This is my first experience with an online conference. I expect it will be well worth any extra effort: http://rsd9.org

  RSD9 keynote publicity https://rsd9.org/2020/08/31/harold-g-nelson/

Interesting experience last week. Discovered by accident (Amazon advert) that there is a Chinese edition of The Design Way. It has been available for a few years and has sold several thousand copies. Who would have guessed? If by chance anyone has read this version of the book please let me know. I would like to hear what you think of the quality of the translation. The Spanish edition has been delayed by the virus but is still scheduled to be printed.

This is an interesting review of a new book on Scientific Method vs Integral Thinking . For me design is the quintessential example of integral thinking. Method seems to be winning over thinking unfortunately. https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2020/07/02/just-use-your-thinking-pump/

There has not been a lot of good news in this time of the 'virus' but just as I was getting a little depressed about it all I was introduced to this presentation on David W. Orr by Amelia Stockman, a student and member of the next generation of scholars and practitioners in Australia. She has given me new hope that her generation is getting on with what needs to be done to overcome the mess they have inherited. Thank you Amelia": Amelia's presentation youtube https://youtu.be/5Kvj6rMbdU4 https://youtu.be/5Kvj6rMbdU4

Industrial / product designers make stuff for people to buy and use. One of the most successful designers of this type in the 20th Century and now most influential in the 21st Century is Dieter Rams . This is a great video about him and his work: "Rams is streaming free with optional subtitles in English, German, Italian, Czech, Russian, Korean, Turkish, Japanese, Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish. Hopefully some of Dieter’s philosophy and wisdom can be an inspiration for you during this crisis. #LessButBetter Watch Rams free now, until April 14: https://www.ohyouprettythings.com/free"

could have, should have, but will have? systems thinking in the rear view mirror https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/03/it-wasnt-just-trump-who-got-it-wrong/164186/?oref=d-river

This is a great series on 'social networks' and other emergent systemic design phenomena. Introduces 'what to think' but more importantly hints at new 'ways to think'. Social networks PBS video 1  disruption https://www.pbs.org/video/episode-1-disruption-wwmwuj/ 2  winter takes all https://www.pbs.org/video/episode-2-winner-takes-all-rh6z1c/ 3  networked war https://www.pbs.org/video/episode-3-networld-war-doz3aw/

Objectified Excellent video on 'material design'. Gary Hustwit’s video ‘Objectified” limited access https://www.ohyouprettythings.com/free

I champion clarity and transparency between terms like 'design' and 'design thinking' wherever I can. Here is a great example of two approaches to the ubiquitous term 'design thinking'. The first is a particularly good review. Two views on ‘design thinking’ https://nplusonemag.com/issue-35/reviews/on-design-thinking/  https://medium.com/@sts_news/design-thinking-is-kind-of-like-syphilis-its-contagious-and-rots-your-brains-842ed078af29 

I have participated many times with colleagues and others in discussions about the importance of transparency and clarity in the use of terms such as design, innovation, creativity, change et. al. Related to this, a book I recommend highly, was the last book published by Russ Ackoff: Differences That Make a Difference: An Annotated Glossary of Distinctions Important in Management. Russell L. Ackoff Triarchy Press. 2010 Devon, UK And then as a reality check on reality: Corporate speak https://lnkd.in/g45S4ha

I think this is what it looks like when the ‘design thinking’ model’s heavy emphasis on prototyping is used on multimillion dollar projects . Professionally I think a serious ‘systemic design' approach would make a huge difference in consequences. Military ships are not ‘products' of course but I understand why contractors, political interests etc. do benefit from this IDEO like approach.  https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a30878764/littoral-combat-ship-retirement/

Reading books, articles anything longer than a tweet is essential for design professionals: https://medium.com/ux-power-tools/designers-should-read-dfcb8f1c2883 \