Against Special In Design

Influx points us to an article in Icon magazine where Jasper Robinson gives his reaction to the problems that design seems to be creating (namely, pollution) and the reasons why design is making such problems (by trying to make everything ’special’). Jasper says:

Design, which used to be almost unknown as a profession, has become a major source of pollution. Encouraged by glossy lifestyle magazines and marketing departments, it’s become a competition to make things as noticeable as possible by means of colour, shape and surprise. Its historic and idealistic purpose, to serve industry and the happy consuming masses at the same time, of conceiving things easier to make and better to live with, seems to have been side-tracked. The virus has already infected the everyday environment. The need for businesses to attract attention provides the perfect carrier for the disease.

Design makes things seem special, and who wants normal if they can have special? And that’s the problem.

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