typography journal 06

Thirty Conversations on Design:
Thirty influential people were asked to answer these two questions: "What single example of design inspires you most?" and "What problem should design solve next?" There answers were documented via video responses.

Though most of the answers involved transportation, water, and education, I would say that I found Daniel Pink's and Jessica Hische's responses to be most inspiring. Both had very different answers, but as a student I was able to relate to both. Pink said the most inspirational example of design is the eraser. The ability to go back and change, in turn, allowing one the freedom to create. I also likes Hische's response, her students. I thought it was really interesting to hear how the work of students like me changes over the course of just a couple years after leaving school. In terms of what design should solve next, I think Tony Hawk had an interesting answer. It was strange to see the business side of him, but I think he was really onto something. Hawk said that the next problem for design to solve would be to take the existing technology and design it so it becomes more simple and more fun. This would make technology more accessible, allowing more creative minds to use it.

If I were to answer these questions, I would definitely have some trouble. I think the combination of being a young student and a relatively inexperienced designer make the questions a bit more challenging because I have not experimented with as much as maybe some of the others have. Regardless, I think I would say that I am inspired by too many things to choose just one. Or, perhaps I am inspired by things that don't seem to go together. I think handwritten and hand drawn things are really beautiful, but I also think that well-calculated, digital works can be equally stunning. In terms of what I think design should solve next, I think it should be getting young minds to continue to think creatively. From my experience, I found that elementary school was pretty creative, but as I moved into middle school and high school, I either did not have the opportunity for creativity, or I lacked time due to other commitments. I think using design to incorporate creativity into education could be really interesting and beneficial for young minds.