Library 2.0: Speaker Series; LT200 – Jason Mitchell + Jennifer Whitty

Never underestimate your power as a designer to create objects that change ideas, your designs can reach far and wide.
Sustainability is inherent. Sustainability is the ability to continue a define behaviour indefinitely.
There are different types of sustainability:

Sometimes using the word sustainability brings about thoughts of 'it's too big a problem'; we need tiers of sustainability.
Options for [environmental] sustainability:

Fablab is driven by community; converting data to an object. If people are engaged in the making they will take a lot more responsibility for the objects.
Think about application, don't just make for the sake of it. 3D printing has resulted in 'tons of plastic Yoda heads just because people could make them'.
Example: 3D printed houses:

Look for the opportunities the clients may not see, look for a problem and see it as an opportunity.

In the past the role of the designer was more simple and clear cut, i.e. you had a product to make/sell
Design is young, it has only been considered as a discipline since the industrial revolution.
One action can have a huge effect.
Design is changing the world and the world is changing design.
Design needs to be a dialogue.
The 1950s was the Golden Age of Consumerism. We thought we could consume towards better lives. That began to feel excessive and unempathetic.
Human beings don't have a pollution problem, they have a design problem. There has to be a realisation that design has an ability to respond to and encourage certain behaviours.

Be thoughtful: Design with impact, beyond creating a pretty object

Be responsible: Be respectful, facilitate interactions, open dialogue, be transparent.

Ask questions: Probe and query, true design has always been a bit of a rebellion. Ask questions of users. Be innovative.

Library 2.0