Design Lab: Concepts for Design Intervention

Following this post,

Key Design Concepts:

Slow Living

Fun & Imagination

Socio-Cultural Awakening

Humane Design

These 4 concepts will revolve around themes of Well-being/Quality of Life, Digital Minimalism and Slow Design to form the basis for my design intervention: Help society achieve a healthy Digital/Life balance. 

i. Fun and Imagination concept - Pilot studies show heavy reliance on mobile devices, people use mobile devices for entertainment because they are bored and they don’t think about using mobile devices when they’re occupied, entertained or having good interactions. Literature review shows that it is human’s basic need to have entertainment, work-life balance and leisure. Through this concept, I hope to engage people’s senses and stimulate their curiosity and creativity through play, adventure and skill building. 

ii. Humane Design concept - Pilot studies and literature review show high addiction to applications and people find it difficult to abstain from mobile devices when they just want to use the phone for a function but ends up being distracted, this is because the applications are enticing and addictive. The crisis of attention economy requires the need to inspire designers to design with compassion for society’s vulnerabilities, well-being and needs.  

iii. Socio-Cultural Awakening concept - Pilot studies show that many people are not aware of Digital Dementia or the effects of attention economy is causing. This concept seeks to create public awareness and interest so the society is able to be in better control of their digital lives. 

iv. Slow Living concept – Pilot studies show that a display of high openness to change by taking things slower and simpler. Literature review shows that fast living and overload of data are causing distraction and brain exhaustion. Instant gratification is creating an impatient culture, shallow connections and commitment issues. This concept seeks to build connections within oneself and with others, to encourage slow thinking, deliberation and deeper thought processing with simple living mindset of DIY communities, sharing of resources and building of sustainable lifestyles.