Shifts+in+Sign+Systems+-SP


 * Shifts in Sign Systems**

__Sustainable Practices__ The most critical discursive shift occurring now throughout the world is the shift to more sustainable practices as we realize that non for profit, zero waste, and only positive environmental impact are the only sustainable practices moving forward. The real shift is seen in the new found profitability of green business and creating truly sustainable products for the benefit of consumers and the earth. All-encompassing life cycle analysis is becoming mandatory and can lead to better products.

__A Hunger for Change__ People’s tolerance for unethical business as usual is coming to an end. Frustration and outrage are openly expressed on the steads with the occupy movement. Events like the Arab Spring have demonstrated the power of the internet in facilitating lasting social change. The population demands change because we are realizing the current system is broken.

__Collaborative Design__ Many realize that we can address the complexities of design challenges through crowdsourcing and collaborative design. Many minds are far better than one. The things that people do without monetary incentive if they are inspired to create and be a part of something greater would blow your mind. The open source movement in commuter software and hardware is clear evidence of this and many companies even based their business models off of crowdsourced design because mush like collectives, they have the ability to contribute to improving a product and directly benefit from their work.

__Design Education and the Value of Innovation__ There is continuous change occurring in universities around the world where industrial design programs are focusing less and less on solely the importance of aesthetics and are putting a greater focus on good design and innovation. A shift in design education and multidisciplinary design in engineering fields is also underway. Design engineering is to be my profession and more and more multidisciplinary education is being offered to emulate the way things are starting to work in the real world. I am currently along for the ride and loving the sphere of practice where right and left brains converge. There has been a strongly expressed need for designers with T-shaped learned, broad background, as well as specialization. []