On Ideology Essay

Designing Ideologies // Ideologies for Design.

Abstract

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

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

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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.

1.

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 in Zizek's thesis (look at Starbucks study case).

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?

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.

Renzo Martens very explicitly shows in his documentary the complexity of acting in solidarity. And as he tried to understand how to position himself towards certain social matters, I personally wish to figure it out myself too.

*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."

I am not yet sure what is the best concept to use, philanthropy, maybe suitable.

To conclude, the challenge relies not only in which ideologies to hold onto, but also how to put those into practice.

Ideologies for Design Purposes