LCD Weekly Issue - 013- Design Solutions or Answers?

🏔️ Words from the mountains

Designers are addicted to solutions; that is how we are educated and shaped. We want to design the solution if there is a problem or a challenge. This is our job, and it gives us an identity.

But what if that is part of the problem of climate change and social justice? Humanity, including designers, always want to design new solutions to problems. What if many of the problems are not actual problems, and the solutions are not needed?

There is a saying in design that says, “It takes 95% of the time to find the right question and only 5% to design the solution”. I like that, but instead of designing solutions, let's design answers that benefit all life forms.

The answer to a design question can be a solution or a physical thing, but it could also be that there is no problem to solve or we shouldn't design anything. Or the answer is: do more research.

It starts with being comfortable with not knowing. If we don't know something, we quickly look for a solution or an answer. An answer gives us comfort and certainty. Feeling uncomfortable is not a bad thing. It is an emotion that deserves a place. Traditionally, part of the design concerns this uncomfortable feeling we have lost in recent years. Let's bring it back!

🐅 LCD in the Wild - Monnou

A few weeks ago, we showcased several Spanish design studios working on Life-Centered Design. Today, we share more about Monnou Studio in this mini-interview. 

What is Monnou's version of Life-Centered Design? 

Monnou is a research and design practice based on Triple Balance, Common Good, and Sustainability. All these concepts can be somehow collected inside "Life-Centered Design," as we aim to positively impact every life on Earth.

How do you apply it in your studio? 

We have been researching several methodologies and building our own, so that we can guide organizations and communities through a Life-Centered perspective. We do that by introducing our methodology in everything we do, from Branding to Product design to defining strategies for Sustainability. In our methodology, we constantly zoom in and out, to go from the global perspective of what we are doing, to the impact of the details. We push organizations and projects to explore their stakeholders and lifecycle. We propose strategies to address every project regarding its impact on people and planet. And we design and facilitate experiences, such as BIO LAB or Circular Vortex Escape Room, to keep pushing forward these concepts, mindsets and skills.

Check out their latest projects and insights. Thank you, Pedro and Alex! 

🪄 Inspiration- Wild Wonder

The Wild Wonder Foundation is dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community. 

“This organization is the direct result of 35+ years of dedicated work by author John Muir Laws to create, nurture, and grow a diverse, worldwide nature journaling community through his legendary generosity, enthusiastic teaching, and boundless energy and joy.”

What is nature journaling? 

"In the practice of nature journaling, you use words, pictures, and numbers to collect and record your observations, questions, connections, and explanations on the pages of a notebook. You do not need to be an artist or a naturalist to begin. These skills can be learned by anyone, and you can develop them with deliberate practice. 

A nature journal is a lens that focuses your attention, enriches your experiences, and develops your skills as a naturalist. This practice also enhances your observations, curiosity, gratitude, reverence, memory, and joy. It helps you discover, think, and remember. Nature journaling is creative, rigorous, and playful, easy to begin and learn, and your practice will grow and mature over a lifetime." 

See some examples here. Why not give it a go?! 

🔥 Hot in the School- Volunteer Program

We are excited to inform you that we are developing a volunteer program to enhance our school's activities. As a volunteer, you will have an opportunity to contribute your skills and time, while at the same time learning more about LCD.

Our team comprises five members, each with a specific area of expertise. Your skills and experience would be an excellent addition to our team, and we would love to have you join us. If you are interested, please respond to this email.

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So, that's all for this week,

👋 See you next Monday,

Jeroen