Reading Reflection 04

Chapter 9 of Design: A Very Short Introduction, by John Heskett, talks about how design has helped some companies distinguish themselves. I thought it was interesting how it is easier for large companies to distinguish themselves. On the other hand, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) either have to change their products to adjust to trends or use design to create a new market (116-7). One example of this is the Oxo Goodgrips brand, which I have often seen at stores and I notice that many companies have now come out with products similar to the Goodgrips products.

This chapter also discussed how governments and rules have incorporated design into their principles. I found it interesting how at the end of WWII, the UK established the Council of Industrial Design. This council functioned through persuasion and eventually died down to a smaller body. In Denmark, the Danish Design Centre was established at the end of WWII, and has been an important factor in the design of the Danish economics as well as their society. I think it is interesting how the major European countries have had a design council at some point in time, when the US has never had one. I think design isn’t given enough importance in the US Government and is just left up to companies and design firms. I didn’t realize how many countries have a design support program set in place by the government.

The last chapter of the book discusses the future of design. The advancement of the computer has made significant contributions to the field of design. It is amazing to think of what developments will arise in the next ten or twenty years as computers and their technologies will continue to advance. Also, as parts of the world become more impoverished, more design advancements will be made to adapt to all different types of cultures.

As more and more products are made, will the basic needs of humans eventually be met? What will designers do then? It is interesting to think if we will eventually reach a point where humans are content with all products and processes where no more advancements need to be made. Only time will tell!