tomorrow's designers designing for a better world with Don Norman // Part 1
Apr 9, 2025
Don Norman, a pioneer of user experience design and author of 'The Design of Everyday Things,' shares his insights on the future of design. He discusses the urgent need for reform in design education, emphasizing a socially responsible approach that respects local cultures. The conversation touches on the importance of interdisciplinary skills, especially with the rise of AI, and how young designers can establish their value in the professional landscape. Norman also highlights the transformative potential of AI in enhancing knowledge access for users.
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Design Education's Colonialism Problem
- Design education has historically neglected environmental and cultural impacts and acts like colonialism.
- Designing without understanding the people and context leads to failure despite good intentions.
Teach Problems, Not Disciplines
- Stop teaching isolated disciplines; teach through solving complex real-world problems.
- Integrate ethics and multiple fields naturally throughout the curriculum, not as separate courses.
Learn Business to Lead Design
- To rise in companies, designers must acquire broad business knowledge including finance and marketing.
- Learn to communicate in the language of executives about profitability and company strategy.
