Globalisation and Design – Challenge and Chance for Europe
HELMUT LANGER
The world challenge for a new global design thinking with perspectives on China, Hong Kong, Japan, South-Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and India*
Abstract:
The world is changing faster than ever before. Global change needs global
adaption. Growing
human populations (China is a country with 1.3 billion people, Ireland
with its population is only a small suburb of Beijing) and economies are
driving an unprecedented cultural, social and technological transformation
of the world. Our modern world is undergoing a fundamental transformation
as the industrial society that marked the 20th century rapidly gives way
to the information and knowledge society of the 21st century. This dynamic
process promises a fundamental change in all aspect of our lives, including
knowledge dissemination, social interaction, economic and business practices,
political engagement, media, education, health, leisure and entertainment.
Expanding human needs are boosting the demand for freshwater, energy,
food, timber and other
natural resources. The environment is struggling to keep pace. Humanity’s
growing consumption
is overwhelming the capacity of the ground, the oceans and atmosphere
to absorb our wastes.
Additionally to the environmental destruction (incl. the loss of the biological diversity) and depletion of the natural resources, our human civilisation is struggling to keep the balance of cultural variety. The extensive commercialisation thinking and Western cultural imperialism are spreading around the world. As result, the loss of local, regional, ethnic or national culture is progressing at rapid speed around the world. This loss of culture is beginning to destroy our global heritage.
The Earth's situation is not irreversible, but changes need to be made as soon as possible. We have the chance to turn towards a sustainable development, one that allows us to improve the living conditions of the world's citizens and to satisfy the needs of generations to come. Designers are in a key position to influence this shift. The world needs a fundamental and global change in design thinking and designing, for the benefit of the global society and the global environment. Design worldwide must be totally based on the broader sense of sustainability, which must become the most important criteria for any design. The five priority strategies are “preventing”, “reducing”, “sharing”, “changing”, and “restoring”.
Sustainability is the key word for the future of all of us. Sustainability is about more than just the environmental impact of consumption. It has ecological, social, economical, cultural and esthetical, political, and human rights dimensions. It relates to human choices and quality of life for all.
* HELMUT LANGER, a Past President of ICOGRADA, has frequently visited these countries, where he was invited as a speaker at international conventions, as a jury member at competitions, as Guest-professor at several universities, and where he has worked as a freelance graphic designer. Recently he was a Key Note Speaker at the World Conference for Design Education DETM 2005 in Ahmedabad/India.