This website discovers social design in its formal sense
through an online exhibition. Users are invited to define and discuss
about social design in the field of arts, graphic, products etc.
Social Design Notes is a weblog that deals with
the built environment, graphic design, product design and architecture
among other things. It shows a wide range of different projects in
these categories and links to other sites. Its definition of social
design is a work in progress. As the author, John Emerson, puts it his
definition of social design lies in his inclination "...towards
projects that:
- are affordable and sustainable
- are made of renewable materials
- use energy from renewable sources and increase energy efficiency
- reduce consumption and waste, are reusable or recyclable
- are produced and developed locally
- are universally accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and physical conditions
- are developed at the initiative and with the participation of the communities they serve
- facilitate mobility, communication, and participation in civic life
- decentralize political power and facilitate transparency and accountability."
The word social, in this
definition of social design is connected with consciousness and
responsibility, and does not necessarily refer to the social world. The
website is concerned with the intent and effects of projects and their
ability to positively exist in, or change, society. In this way, the
definition is based on the value judgement that e.g. environmental
sustainability and decentralization of political power are goals to be
pursued. This definition varies from others that are strictly concerned
with methodology.
