In Search for an Alternative Methodology
The Takikawa conference was a good opportunity for participants to think about the state of design in Japan, based on Mr. Takenobu Igarashi’s relatively concise presentation of the themes to be discussed. In writing a personal summary of this event, I think it is important to get back to the beginning of the problems raised. “Extreme market-orientation”, “regional differences in design” and “the weakening of the design purpose” were the three topics of discussion. The awareness of the problem can be generalized into the criticism toward our present society, which has inclined to the tendency toward “the survival of the fittest”. Looking back to the 19th. century to the beginning of modern design, to a certain extent, design was critical to the society and environment that supported the strong. However, rational modern thought based on liberal consciousness does not seem to be working effectively these days. Therefore, I feel it is important to think of an alternative methodology without totally denying design. Eco-Money of the 90’s and Negroponte’s “$100 Laptop” project, or Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus’s new banking system are examples of alternative prescriptions to this problem. I would like to join the search for an effective alternative methodology, which does not entail economic collapse.
