One World Together - Finding Light In The Dark

Contemporary Design Culture: Week 7

This was the week we were supposed to travel to Berlin for our design culture trip. Unfortunately, due to the current global pandemic I had to make the decision not to travel. This decision was difficult to make but ultimately it was the right one. I am returning to re-write this blog a few weeks later, now that I have gained some perspective on the matter.

During this pandemic I have witnessed how design is aiding the global effort to fight Covid-19. Third level institutions are opening their doors to provide field hospitals and also to utilise their resources. The University of Limerick is no exception to this, The School of Design is set to 3D print 100,000 face visors for medical staff. In addition to this, Irish designers have developed a revolutionary split-ventilator that would majorly aid medical staff and reduce the pressure to supply ventilators for hospitals. It’s amazing how in a time of crisis we can come together and use our design skills to make a real difference. Uncertain times like this is where design and innovation can often flourish and visibly make a real world impact.

It is also interesting to see how technologies and designs created for different purposes can soon have an effect on all of us. Quarantining and Social Distancing can be incredibly isolating and difficult for millions of people, technology made for isolated elderly people could soon be implemented for all of us to combat the negative effects of isolation, such as loneliness and depression. Researchers who designed products and systems to help certain groups of people would never have imagined their work could be used for an entirely different set of circumstances. It just goes to show that we are always designing for the future even if we don’t know it.

I feel this is a time for people to look after themselves and each other, I don’t think there should be a pressure to be productive or creative. Personally however, myself and my brother started a small clothing business, just for fun and to combat boredom. I was able to apply a lot of the skills I learned into creating a brand. I designed a website, and an Instagram page with a design colour aesthetic and then we started work on creating the products. I was able to apply my Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator skills into developing the first set of products. I also designed a business model dividing each set of products into different “Eras” all to add to the experience. We are only starting out and who knows if we’ll keep it going or just use it as a learning experience. Either way I feel it has been an amazing creativity outlet for me during this quarantine and I would encourage any design student to look into doing something like this now that we have the time.

In the face of adversity we come together, regardless of race, age, religion or nationality we are One World Together

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