Is the recession a boom time for creative energy?

“Recessionary design: A boom time for creative energy” is an intriguing article published by the International Herald Tribune. It explores how the current economic crisis is bound to affect design. However, recession and depression do not necessarily have to crash down design.  Learning from past economic downturns, design illustrated that creativity could flourish in response to crisis, change and emerging social needs. 

Whereas designers turned to recycling and working with cheap materials to address past challenges, 21st century design is expected to expand into applying design thinking and design approaches to business systems rather than limiting itself to the creation of things. The need to transform businesses and enhance social services in response to our global crisis poses two areas in which the contribution of design thinking and creativity is expected to be invaluable. 

Get full article here – International Herald Tribune

 

“Optimism can help in bleak days …” that’s the message of this article. 

In the midst of growing fear and anxiety about the foreseen impacts of the global economic crisis, hope coupled with innovative ideas, unique initiatives and rapid responses to consumer needs can come useful. 

Despite a weary, stumbling economy, businesses such as JD Wetherspoon pub chain, Travelodge, Innocent and Tesco decide not to play it safe. They opt for innovation, expansion and seizing opportunities to realize long-term gains. While most of us lack confidence in the future prospects of a turbulent economy, these companies appear to see the economic recession as more of a help than a hindrance.

Get full article here – The Guardian

They don’t love me anymore

Here’s a funny, but very insightful video by Geert Desager of Microsoft about one-way communication in advertising. The video presents a clever analogy between a marriage break up and the gap which exists between advertisers and consumers in some communication messages. Whereas advertisers tend to take consumers’ loyalty for granted, assuming they “know it all”, consumers’ interests are constantly changing, new needs are evolving and people want their voices to be heard. More than ever before, consumers want to be engaged. If companies are to successfully address consumers’ emerging needs, a two-way dialogue should be established and strengthened. A must see video!  

 

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