As the world around us changes and we slowly grow, so our awareness and understanding of design improves.
Now that many designers have a good understanding of form, a good ability to solve functional problems and are excellent at identifying upcoming fashion trends, the hungriest, most dissatisfied and curious will begin to search for new opportunities within the vast holistic field of design. Exploring new areas of design that include User Experience Design, Environmental Design, Social Design, Crafts and Collective Open Source Design.
As a person who has designed it all, Philippe Starck must be restless for new challenges so he can continue indulging his curiosity and stimulate his creativity. In this short video below he talks about Timeless Design as an important design deliverable for the future.
Video Via Dezeen
However because Heirloom Design and Timeless Design implies non-disposable product, it isn’t just a huge design challenge, but involves a much more complex social reform. A philosophy that appears opposed to our economic framework and cultural mechanism that have vigorously evolved on planned and perceived obsolescence. Can we step on the brakes of the thrilling ride we’ve had thus far, even though we might be about to crash?
Will Timeless Design mean fewer sales, if so how can brands continue make similar profits and maintain salary levels? Fewer sales means less volume orders on materials so material costs will also increase. Does higher quality product which will last for generations imply more expensive materials, manufacture and price tag? And how do you create a style that your grandchildren will like 50 years from now?
Here’s to big challenges, positive vision and high standards.
For more on Heirloom Design check out a previous post titled “Heirloom Design – Connecting us to Our Roots and Reducing our Environmental Impact” HERE
74 FOOTWEAR DESIGN CONSULTING 