Thoughts on the value of design
What happens when you start to pay attention.
You know, it’s interesting when you start to consider how much the built environment impacts all of us, but how little most of us even think about it.
A lot of times, design is written off as non-essential. A nice to have versus a need to have. Suffice it to say, that is a wild misconception. Design is linked to mental health, and overall health. Design impacts how we live our lives day to day. Design also directly affects our environment. It’s also downright enjoyable.
Realistically, almost everything we come in contact with throughout the day was the brainchild and product of someone. I encourage all of you to start being more curious about the immediate world around you. The best place to start this is the immediate surroundings that you live in.
Some starter questions. Maybe you know them, maybe you don’t. If you do, ask them to your partner, a friend, a child. Start getting the people around you thinking about design.
Do you know the architect and builder of the residence you currently live in? It’s worth looking into and exploring more about the history you are living your life in.
Do you know the architectural style of where you live? It may start to help you understand design elements or certain features of your home.
Do you know how commercial buildings are made? Skyscrapers? I learned about this year, and the explanations and processes are fascinating.
Can you name 5 different types of textile materials that are in your home? 5 is a random number. Read the labels of your furniture. Know what you are living with!
Do you know how lighting is installed? How windows are put in? Understanding (but not attempting) these foundational processes help you respect these professions.
You don’t need a formal course to start being curious. All you have to do is look at the places you visit and think about. Try to figure out the answers, and read about them later. Maybe you were close, maybe you were waaay off. But now you know!
Bonus activity: When I was in a drawing class at Parsons, we had to take a sketchbook and go draw a street scene in our city. Notice the angles as the street gets farther away. Draw facades of building, counting how many windows are on each side and drawing their details.
So, what happens after you start to pay attention? You program your brain to see in a new way. You will start to notice symmetry, shadows, and how exact these designs were planned before they are brought to life. If you’re like me, you start to think about how much work goes into buildings, homes, and furniture, and you start to think about the people who do that work. Then, you start to share what you discover with others. Once you start noticing and learning, you view the built world differently and you teach other people to do it, too.
Suddenly, we are seeing the world in a new way together.
Let me know if you give it a shot!
