Design with a headshot

Forum Uta Brandes, Professor of Design
in Cologne and co-organizer of the Summit, about design in the
social responsibility.WW: What were the most important topics this year in St. Moritz?

Uta Brandes: A first discussion
led to ideas such as design and speed. Everything is always
faster. This then led us to design and safety. We have developed
the critical perspective of how design can be used in the delusion of the hysteria of the
Western societies can lead to a spiral of violence if
you always want to make everything safer. That creates a backlash.
In South Africa, for example, the craze for security and design
that when the cars are stolen, the drivers are immediately
be shot because the cars have been designed in such a way that they can be
otherwise can no longer steal. Or in London, video cameras in
all stores, the thefts there have decreased.
Instead, such violence moves into the neighborhoods where the
unguarded houses are robbed.

Do you define design very politically with such discussions?
Exactly. We see that we as designers also have a social responsibility.
have responsibilities. Design certainly does not trigger these phenomena,
but if you are unlucky, it participates. It would therefore be a matter of
to make people realize that you cannot be absolutely safe in any society.
can be.

Where do you see other important tasks for designers in the future?
With the rapid pace of change in society, for example with the
With the advent of the age pyramid, the design must respond to this. In the
At the moment, there is still this hype about youthfulness. If you look at the
advertising, nobody wants to advertise with old fat people,
who somehow can no longer walk properly. There is a big
task for us. Not in the sense of saying that we are now doing for
old people too, but consider: Can't designs be made that
would be better for everyone.

Was the Summit a success?
Yes, it was a unique opportunity to have this freedom of thought,
to simply be able to discuss without the pressure of expectations. For three days
just talk without being forced to give a presentation. That has many suggestions
for new ideas.

Interview: Andreas Panzeri

Picture: Lars Müller (l.) and Garth Walker toast with Lisa Strausfeld.