Future of design in the next decade…
Entering a new decade always gives one a sense of nostalgia for what was. Where was the design industry 10 years ago?
Well, AIGA RI didn’t exist yet (est 2004), print design was done exclusively on macs and nobody thought the juggernaut magazine publishing would be replaced with something called a “blog”. Ecological design was considered a great idea, but the limitations on recycled paper options kept the discussion in concept form and rarely made it to the press. Every year since 2000 has brought a new technology, design approach, design methodology and an endless stream of inspired design that carried the foundations of design into a new era of technological symmetry.
Today, new software and faster computers allow projects to be done by teams in remote locations with seamless functionality and streamline the production process and shorten turnaround time to clients. Ecological concerns guide design choices now rather than limit a designer’s options and new fabrication technology has opened the door to light industrial design to graphic designers. There are design macro trends, mini trends and micro trends, modern takes on almost every aesthetic trend that came before – modernism, minimalism, craft, sketch, constructivist and more.
So what will the next 10 years hold? I’m sure in 2020, we’ll look back with same nostalgic affection and disbelief.
Shawn Cournoyer
President ‘08-’10
20|10 reflect|respond|revolutionize | DESIGN
See what the rest of the design industry is thinking at our 20|10 reflect|respond|revolutionize | DESIGN event on January 22nd. 20 local creatives will be speaking their minds for 60 seconds each, immediately followed by a special 10-minute keynote.
