Let’s hope so.
The real value of “design” has not quite been realized; I’d go so far as to say it’s been limited to or stunted by corporate agendas. Regardless of whether you agree with me or who you blame for this, I’m sure we all agree that *realizing the full potential of design* must become our collective agenda. Here are the summarized points for an action-plan that I came up with, in the course of preparing a presentation for a conference on future design education last year:

1. Change the positioning of design:
from being *the* discipline of conspicuous consumption to a *discipline* of creative ideas and methods. In so doing, let us raise the bar for quality design, from cute innovations to audacious creative leaps that have the power to transform people’s lives (see #3 to see what I mean.)

2. Change the basic *design process*:
from the linear-singular problem/solution approach to a multiple-choice strategic/systems/ecological/spiritual approach.

3. Find new *role models* and *clients*:
as long as we keep looking to Eames, Sottsass, Colombo, Starck, Carson et al (no disrespect to them, but I will assert that *designers* are not the best role models for future design), we’ll never be able to step outside our own incestuous domain and find the *larger scope* that we’re seeking. Instead, let’s adopt paradigm-changing creative thinkers and doers (from any/all disciplines, not just *design*) like Enrique Penalosa (no-car cities), Margrit Kennedy (no-interest money), Laurie Baker (local building), Lyonpo Jigme Thinley (GNH), Masanobu Fukuoka (do-nothing farming), etc. as modern design’s new role models. Similarly, let’s stop looking at clients who are committed to the status quo to lead the way, and instead find new/potential clients who are looking for radical creativity.

4. Develop new pedagogies:
that are based on disruptive ideas; that challenge and nurture an individual’s values- and capabilities-sets; that acknowledge and support *internal* transformation just as much as *external* as being the business of design.

5. Refocus design research:
away from narrow/short-term business agendas to planetary/human agendas. Personally, I believe we must look to the poor of the world as creative masters at extracting value from nothing, managing natural resources sustainably, and achieving personal *happiness*.

Design needs to move away from its historical anthropocentric/materialist focus and adopt a planetary/ecological/spiritual focus instead, and that this could open up massive and exciting avenues for new research.

6. Network:
when working against the grain, it helps to be part of a larger collective. We need to construct an inclusive organisation that provides identity, larger purpose and security in order to take risks and go against the grain - will this be the proposed “design council”?
I’d be happy to engage in constructive discussion and share/develop upon these ideas at a personal level (email me at arvind_at_srishtiblr_dot_org). I do hope that by placing these thoughts in the public domain, I would have inspired some individuals or organisations to reflect deeper, feel stronger and aspire higher.

Best wishes to everyone for the new year.

Arvind Lodaya
NID 1981-88 ID
Faculty, Srishti, Bangalore