The first month of any new year is filled with a fascination for all things “new”: the new books (bring them on!); the new fitness craze (hopefully it involves walking your dog); the new food trends, fashion trends, self-help programs, financial predictions — and especially new technology, from earbuds to A.I.
That last one has caused a few ripples in the design industry of late; as a field that relies on creative output and iteration, we view with skepticism (or maybe at the very least a bit of “side-eye”) any change that threatens to upend creative processes as we know them. Some of that skepticism has given way to nervousness, a feeling that is compounded by uncertainty in the broader economic climate.
We are wise to think critically when it comes to what comes next. As you read this column, IIDA is convening our 26th annual Industry Roundtable, a think tank of top design leaders, to do some deep thinking about the future of design, lay their collective cards on the table, and engage in open dialog around the challenges we face and the opportunities we see. This well-established gathering is a formidable knowledge bank, to be sure. What is less understood, but perhaps more important, is the crucial role “connection” plays in the success of Industry Roundtable, as we work to build understanding that can lead to impact and action.
Why is connection the secret sauce, at a gathering of people who have command of a wealth of facts and data? Connection — coming together to share ideas — adds the all-important H Factor: humanity. Design shares that quality; it is inherently human and concerned with human wellbeing; and the places designers create are so much more than simply spaces. Creating place means ensuring that people of all walks of life can gather and connect, comfortably and equitably. It means incorporating research to inform design that promotes healing, and learning. It means creating safety, and allowing people to be seen. It allows us to experience awe, and beauty, as only humans can.
The brilliant Maya Angelou famously said that “…people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Design most assuredly makes us feel, and that impact is indelible.
As we look forward to all of the amazing things design will bring us in the future, and as we take the measure of the challenges ahead, it is important that we embrace design’s human focus as more than just an expected part of every design practice. It is our most potent tool to create lasting impact and shape the collective future of our industry.
New York Times columnist Kevin Roose, who gained fame last year as the writer who had a decidedly spooky experience with an A.I. chat bot (and scared some of us worse than “Candyman”), has covered the tech world and the development of new, life-changing technologies, including A.I., for years. “Ultimately,” he has said, “my very strong belief is that in the age of A.I., the most human humans, the most human companies, and the most human communities will not only survive, but they will actually thrive.”
That quote is a pretty apt description of the design industry. Lucky for us, humanity lies at the heart of what we design, and why we design. Humanity is our mission. So here’s my advice for anyone who’s tempted to clutch their pearls as they gaze ahead at what’s next for design: Just be human. Learn from people of all backgrounds and preferences. Embrace equally what is awkward and uncertain. Wrap your brain around new ways to make people feel comfortable, calm, open and creative. Collaborate. Connect. Challenge yourself to know more, do more, understand more. Leaning into design’s innate humanity will make us all stronger, smarter and ready for our brilliant collective future. I’m ready for it — are you?