A 21st Century Design Manifesto
How might we forge a unified stance as designers — one that harbors the values and ethics necessary to assure our work brings about positive change?
Towards Full Humanness
As designers, we ought to consider our full potential as it relates to our impact onto the world. For me, this begins with our deepest expression of humanness.
How might we forge a unified stance as designers — one that harbors the values and ethics necessary to assure our work brings about positive change?
Positive Impact
What would the world look like if all designers moved towards only engaging in meaningful work? An integral component is to say no to projects that do not serve me. If the design work is not engaging, I will simply pick up with the next challenge. In today’s world, there are countless major challenges to solve
I declare that my work will only be of the highest direct impact — relating intimately with my purpose and design orientation.
Influencer transcendence
As Abraham Maslow points out in his late work, we are in a position to elevate ourselves towards self transcendence — the work of bringing about awareness in others.
My work will be guided by a similiar designer ethos — one that connects more people to be thinking and working as modern design thinkers.
Designers leading the world forthward
Imagine a world where every fortune 100 organization has a CXO designer within their c-suite!? Transforming organizations to reimagine and illuminate their way of organizing will be a leading focus in my designer manifesto.
My most true impact as a designer lies in the formation of a circular network of designers moving forthward.
Declaring ones designer self
As new designers enter into the profession, it is integral that a design ethos be defined. This is an area of massive consequence — the orientation we have with regard to the world. It is with great respect and privilege that we transparently relay our design view upward and outward into the ether!
Declaring ones Design Manifesto is a powerful way of exchanging perspective as it relates to the world we live, and design for — a manifesto that is widely accessible and transparently rendered visible — forward facing and future-driven.
A prerequisite to design
Imagine for a moment what it would look like for all new designers to have declared their manifesto — an individualistic DNA code that speaks to their ethos, ethics, and orientation for how one brings about change within their work? What an amazing world that would be!
Call to action
Take a moment today to write your Design Manifesto — Timeboxed it for 20 mins — Meditate for 5–10 minutes, then put your headphones on, get into a flow state, pull up a new Medium story and step into writing. See what comes out naturally! Publish your article immediately at the 20min mark — long dash — no delay. Send it to 5–10 people in the spirit of declaration. It may be the case that you choose to make a tweak here or there. Do so, but limit it to one round of iteration. Link this article to your social channels, place it prominently on your portfolio and harness the manifesto deep within your designer selfhood!