7 x 7

On the 12th of August as part of design week there was a talk given by 7 leaders within the different disciplines of design. Speaking about the future and future trends in design.

Peter Black – Hassell
The main thrust of Peter's talk was about shifting the ways in which cities and spaces work demonstrating this with two examples one of Times Square in New York City and how it is a car free space allowing pedestrian traffic to rule the cities is an important change that is going to come about in very populated cities. The second idea he put forth was that in the future companies will have about 70% desks for the same number of employees because this encourages collaboration between the different departments within a company and is very efficient.

John Brown – Design Resource
John spoke about the future in relation to industrial design. Some of the trends he saw as being important now and more so in the future was the individuals search for simplicity and for the business side of design the design process was most important the idea that from now on designers could not just get away with having the trust of the client and now must be transparent in there process showing what tools and methods they use t o innovate and reduce risk but at the same time remain sustainable. He also mentioned 5 drivers for the next 20 years of design in Australia: 1 Rapidly Aging Demographic, 2 Growing Immigration, 3 The Rise of Post Materialism, 4 Changing environmental restraints and attitudes, 5 Increased Governance and Regulation.

Guy Burgoyne- GM Holden
Guy Burgoyne from GM Holden spoke about his 7 themes of the future. The First being that the individual is becoming a more flexible person and therefore the idea of just work and home being there main environments is out. Secondly he spoke about the idea of increasing transparency within the product market we must increase the transparency of our product complexity is out! His third statement was brief "Simplicity is in". The forth theme for the future was empathy and that we must genuinely understand society as a whole so to build trust with it. Efficiency products must "work" on many levels, product can no longer be applicable to one use. The sixth theme was the changing values of society and that the idea of status is being redefined "it's not all about the $$". His final theme was the increasing aging demographic was of financially secure active and healthy.

Ana Maria Escobar – Oroton
Ana Maria was obviously talking about fashion but some of the statements were very relevant to all the fields within design. The first was that telling a story through products is essential for there respect by the consumer market as well as a point of difference for the consumer. Also that we must understand different cultures as manufacturing as almost entirely moved offshore. The idea that the compulsive shopper is now dead is true this being true with internet research being at an all time high before purchases people know exactly what they are buying. The limited edition has been quite a successful avenue in fashion as creates a certain level of consumer individuality. And finally that the designers of the world are responsible for creating optimism and confidence in uncertain times.

Andrea D’Cruz - RLD
Andrea's 7 themes were simple.
1. Apartment Living is a lifestyle choice now rather than a economic one.
2. The media (TV) put it out there that design is an easy (anyone can do) kind of thing
3. Now is the time to use technology to create design soloutions.
4. We must revolt against using traditional designer furniture (Eames) because there are too many fakes and copies and go for fresh alternatives (bernabeifreeman lighting).
5. Crime is increasing and Security is decreasing so apartment living is becoming more popular
6. Environmentally focused design solutions
7. Global financial Crisis is making the consumer re assess the values of society therefore reducing excessive consumption.

Andrew Hoyne – Hoyne Design "personalization and power of the individual"
1. Power will in the hands of the people
2. From the 'I' generation to the 'we' generation individuals will start thinking about themselves as part of the collective family of humanity.
3. Consumerism will fall to Ethical consumerism
4. Unpackaging will become the new packaging
5. Branding as a sign of wealth will disappear
6. Honesty will become a mandatory core brand attribute (brand transparency)
7. The government is next to go.