On Ideology Essay

Designing Ideologies // Ideologies for Design.

How to match our own ideologies with our career? A matter of coherence.

Abstract

This is a very personal reflection about the role of Ideology in people's identity and how far it connects, for instance, with our profession. Our worldviews being part of our daily practices, including professional activities. Focusing in one specific subject matter: "solidarity" * - meaning the social impact of our work practices.

_

Introduction

As a human being we occupy a place on earth. We find ourselves in different environments ( / familiar / professional / social / … / ). Our beliefs and ideas cross this different environments make our identity and help us position in society. In the professional environment, and using the example of the designer as to represent a profession, I aim to understand the possibilities of linking design practice and ideologies. - in particular solidarity *.

1.

How does a professional designer emerge within social impact and move project ideas forward?

As a designer seeking for relevance in my practice and looking to produce professional work that matters, I constantly question myself how to create Good Design.

By Good Design I also mean Design for Good.

This idea of designing goes beyond technical competences, it regards innovation in a broader sense; it acknowledges the fact that design is inevitably connected to social, environmental and economical practices, and it pursues to engage critically across fields.

2.

I have been investigating how different design companies present themselves in the "about" section of their websites. This area of the platform is usually dedicated to present the history of the company, perhaps the team menbers, basically a space to answer the "who", "where, "when" and "why" questions.

"Why" is often revealing the company's "approach". Meaning either the company's work methodology or their beliefs:

- work perspective ( / work methods / strategies / focus on creativity and efficiency...)

- humanistic perspective ( / ethics / economical / social / environmental values and procedures / political views )

Some companies incorporate both.

This "perspectives" reflect Ideology as a way of structuring our practice - ideas with an organizational function. It provides guidance towards action. And is also often perceived as an act of propaganda or marketing tool, as analyzed by the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek in his thesis at "Pervert's Guide to Ideology" (look at Starbucks study case - pay for the product and duty (or redemption) - ultimate form of consumerism). By adapting this corrective disciplines, we provide an answer to the guilt carried by towards social struggles, in a global context. In other words, the weight of social responsibility. In Žižek's eyes this can also be perceived as new selling philosophy: economy charity - idiosyncrasy of good guys.

3.

(Design) Practice + "Solidarity" *

Should solidarity be a part-time job (as a form of charity)? Should our beliefs exist parallel to our main occupation? Does it make sense to be partially committed to certain values? Will not this separation lead to hypocrisy?

"The real aim is to reconstruct society. Charity degrades and demoralizes." - from RSA animate: First as Tragedy, then as Farce.

If one is truly concerned with the interests and welfare of humans. His/her attitude should in all circumstances reflect both individual and collective interests. I am not yet sure what is the best term to use, if solidarity, or philanthropy which maybe suitable too.

Renzo Martens very explicitly shows in his documentary "Enjoy Poverty", the complexity of acting in solidarity. And as he tried to understand how to position himself, in both personally and professionally towards certain social matters. I personally wish to figure it out myself too. Martens presents non-profits or entrepreneurs both feeding poverty and this never-ending resource. Is it at all possible to change this so well structured social inequality? Martens sees no solution.

Conclusion

- "There is no man alone, because every man is a Microcosm, and carries the whole world about him... There is all Africa, and her prodigies in us."- Sir Thomas Browne, Religio Medici, 1642

- "To whom belongs poverty?" - Martens Renzo, 2008

In my view, I look at poverty as a shared defeat for the international community. As well as an active (daily basis) role on the fight for the human rights. To conclude, the challenge relies not only in which ideologies to hold onto, but also how to put those into practice.

*in most English dictionary definitions, ‘solidarity’ implies unity, unanimity, a singular vision and/or agreement. In contrast, in Greek, ‘solidarity’ – ‘αλληλεγγύη’ [alilengíi] from ‘αλλήλων’ [allilon] (others) + ‘εγγύτητα’ [egytita] (distance / proximity) – is understood as ‘the ethical imperative/ obligation of members of a group to reciprocally support one another’. This latter definition emphasises the support of others as a right and responsibility and foregrounds the protection of common rights and responsibilities. Most importantly it does so without the erasure of individuality or the assumption of unity, harmony or cohesion. In addition, its etymology leads to the definition of ‘αλληλεγγύη’ [alilengíi] as ‘the distance / relationship / proximity between people’. at activate e-journal, vol.3 Issue 1 (Spring 2014): "Solidarity and / in performance: rethinking definitions and exploring potentialities."

Ideologies for Design Purposes