Design as a reflection of human purpose and the consequences of our ambition

The quotes in this article are insights shared by my classmates during our semester-long discussions and readings on digital product design. To respect their privacy, all names have been kept anonymous.

Design as a Reflection of Purpose

Thinking about what design is, the first discussion has to be about how and when it arises. During the creation of any tangible or intangible products, the act of designing plays a crucial role. Any kind of product has certain functional goals. These functional goals have human needs at their core. So, at the depth of these goals stands the main purpose: the satisfaction of humans. Meaning, solving human problems which fulfill the basic need for an “improved lifestyle.”

“It is increasingly vital to reflect on the role we, as designers, aspire to fulfill. The prospect of transforming the world for the better…”

AR

What is human intent in this context? At its core, human intent is the underlying reason behind our actions. Everything we do aims to achieve one overarching goal: to satisfy the basic instinct of making life easier or improving our lifestyle. Design, therefore, becomes an intentional process of shaping the world around us — our culture, environment, and perceptions. Karel Martens captures this idea with the concept of “design defining culture,” demonstrating how design not only reflects but also evolves cultural norms. She mentions “design determines the quality of our common life,” emphasizing that it plays an important role in improving the quality of life, which makes us, as designers, reflect on our smaller goals that are part of this major purpose (Martens, 2014).

“ It makes me reflect as a designer on how my decisions can influence not only the functionality of a product but also the environment in which people live.”

ES

Design is an act that is rooted in human intent, which means it is a reflection of our purpose, needs, and values. However purpose does not shape design alone, the question arises: What happens when ambition drives this purpose?

Consequences of Human Ambition

Ambition is something that drives things forward — or maybe in any direction, even backward. In any case, it is an act of taking things somewhere, meaning making changes. The assumption is that ambition has the potential for both innovation and harm.

Cliff Kuang, in his article, highlights both the improvements and pitfalls of designing (Kuang, 2019). He reflects on design’s duality by examining how recently designed technologies, especially AI, evolved to assist humans, bringing positive changes to the quality of life, but also causing drawbacks to human experiences.

“Indeed, technology has brought about many positive changes in quality of life, but as these man-made inventions continue to develop, do they truly have the ability to perform and behave beyond their intended capabilities”

RG

Mohapatra critiques the inclusivity of new innovations, emphasizing the need to explore the ethical implications of the unintended consequences driven by our ambitions (Mohapatra, 2019). She highlights the pitfalls of ambition, pointing out how technological advancements, while fueled by the desire to innovate, hence the ambition can sometimes negatively impact user experiences.

This arises a question: How does design, which stems from the intent to fulfill our desires, human needs, occasionally clash with those very desires?

“ I don’t want technology to simplify everything; I want it to challenge us.”

HF

The ambition that arose from “making life easier,” in most cases, focuses on the efficiency of things so that goals are achieved without effort. However, this drive for efficiency frequently oversimplifies human contact to the point of disinterest. Humans want to continue exploring their potential in less simplified systems, and there could be multiple reasons for this, such as the need for meaningful engagement, skill retention, creative flexibility, and a sense of agency.

Good Design? For whom?

“how design can be seen as a problem solving device based on collective biases, where as in fact it may be doing more harm than good. It shows us a nuanced view behind the moral responsibilities we as designers have.”

DK

Where does this leave us now? How can ambition be balanced? This demands a further look into the assessment of design’s role in society. Are we mindful of ambition’s consequences? And where does this leave us as we continue to innovate?

Where Do We Stand?

It can be interpreted that the user’s desire for demanding technology is a call for design that preserves depth and complexity when necessary. When guided responsibly, design can lead to the achievement of purpose-driven empathetic design which considers deeper “human intents and instincts,” serving all without causing harm, hence being ethical design.

How do we do it?

According to Kenya Hara, “design is not the act of amazing an audience with novelty; it is the act of fulfilling a purpose,” serving as a reminder that human needs come first in truly meaningful design (Hara, 2007). Realizing that the purpose is not just efficiency is the first step. Next is understanding how we are trapped in certain “forms” we built in the past and breaking them to make consistent and real progress.

“There is a great value in taking the risk and learning from trial and error, which can lead to transformative outcomes.”

MA

What do we do?

The world requires us to reconsider our “onefold understanding” and see the broader influence that design may have on systems and culture. This change in viewpoint reflects a desire for design that is not just aesthetically beautiful or functional, but also broadly influential and fulfills human needs worldwide. Expanding the viewpoint would serve to the goal of creating transformational, ethical, and purposeful designs.

“I begin to reexamine my previous onefold understanding of design which lies singularly in a UX designer’s capacity of creating new digital interfaces but failed to look at design on a broader scale.”

JW

Ultimately, as Kenya Hara suggests, “design is not just a tool; it’s a lens through which we see and shape the world.” (2007).

Bibliography:

Martens, K. (1990, February). What design means for me. Valiz, 128–129.

Monica Mohapatra. 2019. “Good Design…for Whom? Aestheticizing the expansion of the prison industrial complex.” Violence by Design, The new Inquiry, March 27, 2019. https://thenewinquiry.com/good-design-for-whom/

Kuang, Cliff, and Robert Fabricant. User friendly: How the hidden rules of design are changing the way we live, work & play. Random House, 2019.

Hara, Kenya. 2007. “What Is Design?” (Excerpt) Designing Design. Lars Müller Publishers.

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