Design the World

There is an emerging field of design called "geodesign," which is the use of design as a method of dealing with organizational, behavioral, and cultural problems. Since design is in many ways synonymous with innovation, it really means the use of design as a tool to for social innovation.

For example, a project by designer Bruce Mau that is documented in this week's International Herald Tribune is intended to help Guatemalans think positively about their country's future. (The project itself can be found here (in Spanish), although the web site is a bit sparce.

Mau's larger project is called Massive Change, which "explores the legacy and potential, the promise and power of design in improving the welfare of humanity."

Starting this Saturday, Sept 16, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago is running a beautiful show on Massive Change: "Massive Change: The Future of Global Design is an exhibition that changes the way you think about design just as contemporary design is changing the way we live in the world. Design affects all aspects of our lives and holds the possibility of changing the very nature of human life itself. Massive Change is an exhibition grounded in a provocative proposition. It is a celebration of the human capacity to change the world and a call to recognize both the power and the responsibility of design."

More concisely, "it's not about the world of design, it's about the design of the world." Wow!