RedesigningDesign_JHawkins_AusCreative_JUNEJULY_LR
Designers are faced with all sorts of challenges and none more so perhaps, than how to challenge oneself. In an industry where innovation, adaptation and progressive practice are benchmarks we commonly strive for on behalf of our clients, are we always the best at being introspective? Looking at ourselves and our industry and asking, is there something more we could be doing? Something different we could be offering than the multitude of other creative agencies essentially offering the same service? Do you ever ask yourself if you genuinely feel that you are being creatively stretched; that you are applying your creative problem-solving skills to maximum effect? Using your design skills to help tackle issues like runaway consumerism, climate change or social problems, or worse, are you worried that you may be contributing to the problem? For those of you fidgeting uncomfortably in your seats right now, and for those of you who may agree with leading thinker Roger Martin that humankind itself needs to become competent in ‘design thinking’, the time for change is now. In a landmark project, leading design thinkers Digital Eskimo in partnership with the Creative Industries Innovation Centre, are asking you, YES YOU, to help determine the future of the industry. To rethink how the skills inherent in design can be applied to a whole host of other complex and ‘messy’ problems, for the betterment of the environment and society at large. This is not to mention, the added value it will bring to the perception of the design industry itself.
Jackie Hawkins gets to grips with the recently launched ‘Change Agents’ project and chats with David Gravina, Principal of Digital Eskimo and Adam Blake, Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Creative Industries Innovation Centre.
