Conversation Cafe

Conversation Cafe

The future of design

Arifin Graham:

Design and the Survival of Our Species

Many scientists – and others – believe that we are heading toward a precipice of dangerous and fundamental changes to Earth's climate and ecosystems, and that those changes will endanger all of humankind. What role can design play for a species facing such a prospect? If our behaviour is at least partly responsible for this predicted future, design and the messages it carries has the hope of effecting change to those behaviours. Through concepts of empathy, wonder, our need to "just go home and watch TV" (Ignatieff, 1989) – and the urgency of reconciling our love of stuff with the survival of our species – Arifin Graham of alarisdesign.com and deciduous.ca will explore the possibilities for design to communicate, educate and ultimately inspire us to leave our descendants a world worth living in