Our Ideas Become the New Future

I happened to stumble upon this term while Google-ing some other design terms.  Wikipedia has some great statements on helping to define what exactly this concept is.  You can also view this video from YouTube, courtesy of SocialDesignSite.com.  While the video is a bit slow in the narration, some of the images really stirred me, so it's worth a watch when you have a few minutes.



A very quick, one sentence summary of this concept for me would be the ability to enact change through design, either in the process of it or its end result.

More than ever, I think we need to be conscious of how our actions affect others.  And not in just physical actions towards others, but also in our ideas and abilities when they are brought to life.  In this case, particularly design.  I’ve never really thought of this before, but if I’m honest about it, design can be wielded as a good tool in this world or a bad tool.  I’ve always thoughts of design as rebirthing, renewing, making something better.  Even in some sad or shocking designs, it may not make you happy, but it’s there for an eye-opening awareness to make you more keenly focused on what’s really going on in the world.  But the reality is that not all designs are energizing, bringing life, or encouraging awareness, positive changes, & emotions.  A lot of designs can be selfish, destructive, negative emotionally, promoting risky behavior, or worse yet, promoting the loss or taking of human life. 

Some people may say that good design vs. bad design is “in the eye of the beholder.”  Otherwise, meaning that the determination of whether the design is bad or good is up to the individual’s personal interpretation.  Hmm...

All in all, I hope more become aware of the significance of this concept.  Us designers...we don’t just make things looks good.  We actually have the ability to change the world, for better or for worse, with our creations and ideas.  We have the ability to change people’s minds, influence their actions and choices, encourage or discourage them to do or not do something...all through what we create.  Our ideas become the new future.

So...what do you think?  Is social design significant in the design world?  What kind of impacts have you witnessed from any good or bad social design experiences?

As always, we welcome your thoughts.