Last month Matthew Cockerill, associate design director at Seymourpowell, spoke at the Herald Design Forum 2014. The annual design event took place on the 26 - 27th November in Seoul, South Korea. The opening address was by Hong Jung-Wook, Chairman of Herald Corporation and Chung Hongwon, Prime Minister of Republic of Korea.
The focus of the event was on the universality of design. The forum served as an opportunity to reflect upon both the economic and social impacts that design has. The forum also promoted discussions about how sustainability is manifested within the design industry. Speakers at the event discussed the question ‘How can designers design products or services that not only look beautiful, but deliver added value that can change the world?’
Matthew believes the answer lies in designing with the end in mind. In this way the design of products is optimised not only for manufacturing and usability but for the end of their life, be it recycling or disposal. This would allow us to move from the current take, make, waste industrial economy to a more sustainable circular economy where the leakage of valuable finite resource are retained rather than simply going to landfill or being incinerated.
One example Matthew showcased was a smartphone by Fairphone that puts social and environmental values first, supporting reparability, conflict free minerals and fair factory conditions.
Matthew also discussed the importance the role the consumer plays in driving sustainable design up the agenda. Matthew said, “For future consumers like Generation Z, products and services that are damaging to the environment are frowned upon. Their attitudes will accelerate the need for an alternative to our take, make and waste system and this will change the way we design products and services. This is going to have a fundamental impact on how we do business, it’s complex and often challenging, but this generation isn’t going to wait for us, so we’d better be ready.”
Other speakers at the event included architect Rem Koolhass, advertising guru Alexander Schil and Joon paik of Changjo Architects.
Find out more about the event here: bit.ly/1zxifjR
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