Don Norman: The Way We Design Today Is Wrong!

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

Key Moments: 00:00 The Provocative Words of Victor Papanek 01:02 The Environmental Impact of Modern Design 02:08 The Challenges of Recycling and Waste Management 03:13 Everyday Examples of Design Failures 04:01 The Limited Influence of Designers 05:08 The Flaws in Design Education

[@annajasko]

So profoundly true, designers are not part of the decision making team, but rather an accommodating and servicing team that helps decision makers make millions. They do not get to say what implications this can bring nor influence on the product waste.

[@ArminStroRadschinski]

Thank you for the clear words. I suggest to change at least one thing: Replace "Human Centered Design" with "Environment Centered Design" or make the point clear that we are lost without our environment. Religious or ideologic docmas that put humans first and divide ethnics or the rest of the planet apart are the root of this disaster. I guess it s harder to sell, bu we are talking about education of designers not advertising ;-)

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

Thank you for sharing your perspective!

[@enfisya]

bravo! did not expect this at all. thank you so much Don for speaking up on this! it's so important

[@kofutur]

I am a designer. I have been working as a designer for the 2 past decades. I love my job and I have meet and work with many designers around the globe. Things I can say about designers (including me). -designer are strong consumer and love buiyng stuff like any others people. -designer works for the fun of designing stuff without thinking so much of consequences. -designer goes were they can make money meaning where there are asked to design things (what they love to do) that will be selled. I find this posture really hypocritical when designer see themsleves as humanity economy/industry/ecology paradigm savers... In best case it s greenwashing, in the worst case denial of reality.

[@aligatortree]

Don, one day, not far away in the future, I would want to learn from you about design education. I'm an entrepreneur, and I'm working hard so that one day, I have a say to effect the change I want to make. A positive change. Thanks for sharing!

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

Hi Troy! We have good news for you :) You can learn from Don Norman at the IxDF. We have a wonderful "Design For The 21st Century by Don Norman" course that would be perfect for you!

[@socrates_yiannoudes]

Agreed. Yet, I do not see how design education alone will somehow delegate power to designers. Yes changing design education would make designers more aware of the environmental impact of design products but that alone does not mean that power relations and those who decide according to profit will change their interests, views and practices.

[@emotran]

I love that, Don. We must stop worrying about managing processes and teaching design leadership as a community. Not because we deserve it, not because it's our rightful place to be. But because the products, the business, and the users we are trying to serve need us there. The problem with leadership is that it is not something somebody can give you. You'll have to earn it, own it, in every meeting, in the way we plan design, in strategy sessions; at the other side of lídership, there's always responsibility, and is always available for us to grab.

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

Well said! Leadership in the realm of UX and interaction design is indeed something that must be earned and owned. It's not about titles but about the impact we create in every aspect of our work. When we lead with a focus on serving our users and the business, we can truly make a difference. Responsibility and the opportunity for leadership are always within our reach, waiting for us to step up and make a positive change in our processes and strategies. Thanks for being with us, and let's continue to elevate the field of UX design together! 💡🚀

[@dmitrystolbov840]

Don, You are saying absolutely right things. You reminded about the ethics of mass production, and I hope that the things that you brought up in this video will be taken into consideration by corporations, and starting these changes from the educational side is a good strategy as well

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

📚🌎 Contemplating the Power of Design 🖋🌟 Back in 1971, Victor Papanek astounded the design world with his audacious first sentence: "There are professions more harmful than industrial design, but only a few." He went on to suggest that perhaps advertising might be an even more ethically complicated profession than design. Why, you ask? His perspective was that advertisers convince people to purchase products designed by people like us - the designers. This viewpoint resonates more strongly today than ever before. Take, for example, the ubiquitous cell phone. These devices, often costing around a thousand dollars or euros, are crafted from exotic materials sourced from across the globe. The very process of their creation frequently inflicts harm on the environment. Massive manufacturing plants, some with over a million employees, leave lasting impacts on both nature and communities. How long does a typical cell phone last? Not very long; they're built to be replaced after just a few years. Moreover, their intricate designs often make recycling difficult, leading to toxic electronic waste sites. It was this perspective that drove Papanek's initial outrage: why are designers creating products that harm the environment, not only during production but also when they reach the end of their useful life? The call is for humanity-centered design, where we evaluate a product's impact on the planet and challenge unethical practices. It's high time to change design education, producing design leaders capable of steering the design field towards more responsible, ethical, and sustainable practices. 🔥 What's your take on Papanek's critique and the imperative need to reform design education? Share your insights and thoughts in the comments section. Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to our channel, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on this essential conversation. Feel free to share this video with your fellow thinkers and designers - together, we can ignite change in design and work towards a more conscious, sustainable world! 🌎📚

[@felipevictor13]

It's hard not to agree with Don. He has a deep point of view and a great way to build arguments. However, I think he forgot a huge part of the problem. We live in an economic system that doesn't support humanity's cause at all. That said, it's kind of unfair to put the fault of the ways we build products on the designers' lap. The humanity problem is not only for designers. It's for all humans. Hate the game.

[@donnorman8699]

No! Not at all forgotten. That book I said I was writing? I damn the current economic system. It is evil. We need a very different kind of economics. Among other things, I argue that we have to stop considering the value of a business, country, or world in economic terms such as GDP or stock market indices. Those reward poor practices. We need people-centered indices of quality: quality of life, of the environment, etc. Many distinguished economists are saying the same thing, but with no impact. Well, we need a revolution.

[@shashiprakash543]

You are right. The current model is only consumption orientated. Too much comfort living habit is causing damage to human, environment, society and our mind.

[@manjitsinghpardeshi4441]

I am your 1000 viewer... Just want to say This is really true we have to think about this...

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

Wohoo! Thanks for watching and commenting 🚀

[@estherayewoh1077]

Absolutely profound insight. Much love to Don Norman

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

Don Norman's insights are indeed invaluable in the realm of design and human-computer interaction.We're glad you found the video helpful! 😊

[@dakotarecreates3368]

This is the very reason I have chosen to pursue a career in design. Maybe I've chosen poorly? How can more eco-friendly designs be advanced in the world? How are you, Don Norman, making a difference with the influence you have? Maybe this is just the discover phase? What follows? I hope you're cooking up some solutions. That's where the focus should be. You're just now posting this? I know I can't speak for all but I just feel like this is old news. It's just a bit frustrating to only be presented with problems and no solutions. Thanks older generations for the problems you've passed onto us. To be fair, thank you as well for the many solutions and conveniences. Many though also create other problems. I heartily agree though that a significant piece of the puzzle is in education.

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

Don has definitely raised interesting questions. We're looking at this as him passing the torch to all the new, in formation, and exercising designers. 🎇

[@thattannielilpawtouchedbyt771]

Iam frustrated at the thought how they posted a old video and airing this now, we should take our chance atleast by now right, nothing's unfair, I think we have to be thankful for them

[@jvfmf]

One way I found to make a difference was to try and be more informed in the company I work at and come from a place of understanding in terms of projects and decision making. I'm not high up in the decision-making tree, but it's good to be consulted on some major decisions. And I like to think that this will become a more common trend later down the line...

[@donnorman8699]

Don't wait. Get promoted. How do you do this? Make suggestions, take a larger stance than simply design. Help the company change its ways. Learn about management, about finance. Help speed the process.

[@jvfmf]

@@donnorman8699 I've been advocating for more efficient processes rather than granular scopes for work, and paired with a more business oriented academic formation I feel like it's within reach to do do... Thanks for the advice!

[@Latashamorriscom]

The love of money is the root of all evil. As long as money is king, companies and everyday people will continue designing and offering products, even if it destroys nations, people, Countries and ecosystems.

[@mansoorahmed7049]

from user centered to humanity centered design - Good approach but how we could make that happen what roadmap could be for the shift?

[@MirrorNeuron]

yes we need better path and directions for that....question is who can lead us on this?

[@michieldevos1159]

I like the approach of Theory U to create a collective awareness (within your organization, society, etc) to design better solutions.

[@donnorman8699]

@@MirrorNeuron I'm working on it. See my other replies/

[@donnorman8699]

@@michieldevos1159 I never hard of theory U. Thank you for introducing me. I'm reading about it now.

[@MirrorNeuron]

@@donnorman8699 wow wow! so glad to see your reply. Please let me know if I could be of any assistance.

[@luca-rw7ss]

Well, Donald, we need "important voices" like you to evangelize first the companies. I think we can do our part in that but that's the world we found and we should live in that. So, please, help to spread the CHANGE, we will be ready for that.

[@Chahinez-xc7kl]

You are great man ❤️

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

Indeed!

[@rosycc0606]

Perhaps the new career "Industrial Design" could solve this problems

[@ericnjanga3245]

Nicely said :)

[@alexandrinacardoso9972]

Yes, i agree

[@modernexistence4206]

Is the only truly harmonious way of human living a reality where industrial and digital technology is absent?

[@simonnrgaard7731]

That is just so right

[@InteractionDesignOrg]

We are glad the information resonates with you! Your engagement adds valuable perspectives to the conversation! 👍😊

[@Rk12-w8n]

Greedy of corporates

[@vimarshans9889]

🙏👏

[@MichaelMalaga-s2w]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@durgeshchore8665]

I agree with all the points with DON, people are being too lazy and UX making the lazier by making the workflow easier for the users. The most invention makes people lazy, greedy, and less active with each generation.

[@tajinderjsingh826]

That's f*&%$ so amazing & so true. Loved every part of the context. Wow.

[@nc8214]

😊

[@周戈-g9s]

invigorating me

[@estelamizu]

Capitalism's fault

[@modernexistence4206]

The only reason you were able to comment this on this video that you watched is also because of capitalism.