“In order to survive, all systems must evolve by providing greater and greater access to the currents that flow through them. This applies to all physical, biological and social systems that survive and thrive.... But let’s take that one step forward... the systems just described are ... constantly evolving. This suggests another design principle: ... design for evolution rather than creating a static design optimizing for the present.” OrderSocialStepsPrinciplesGreaterDesignEvolutionCreatingFlowCurrentsAccessEvolveThriveProvidingStaticSteps ForwardSocial Systems Author:John Hagel
“Design... is the integration of technological, social, and economical requirements, biological necessities, and the psychological effects of materials, shape, color, volume and space.” SocialSpaceEffectsDesignColorMaterialsShapesPsychologicalVolumeTechnologicalRequirementsIntegration Author:Laszlo Moholy-Nagy
“All "if" statements about the past are as dubious as prophecies of the future are. It seems fairly plausible that if Alexander or Ghengis Khan had never been born, some other individual would have filled his place and executed the design of the Hellenic or Mongolic expansion; but the Alexanders of philosophy and religion, of science and art, seem less expendable; their impact seems less determined by economic challenges and social pressures; and they seem to have a much wider range of possibilities to influence the direction, shape and texture of civilizations.” IfsArtPhilosophySeemsPastIndividualSocialBornChallengesInfluenceEconomicDesignPossibilityCivilizationShapesPressureImpactFilledDeterminedStatementsRangeProphecyExpansionTextureArt And SciencePlausibleDubiousPhilosophy And ReligionSocial PressureExpendables Author:Arthur Koestler
“Curiosity is natural to the soul of man and interesting objects have a powerful influence on our affections. Let these influencing powers actuate, by the permission or disposal of Providence, from selfish or social views, yet in time the mysterious will of Heaven is unfolded, and we behold our conduct, from whatever motives excited, operating to answer the important designs of heaven.” MenImportantSoulHeavenSocialNaturalAnswersInterestingViewsPowerfulInfluenceDesignObjectsCuriosityAffectionExcitedSelfishMysteriousMotiveProvidencePermission Author:Daniel Boone
“It's not about doing over the living room of someone who has bad taste in color. This is about restoring historic buildings and instilling pride in a community, which can be done through designing new public spaces and social gathering spots.” DoneArtistSocialCommunitySpaceRoomsDesignBuildingColorPrideTasteSpotsGatheringHistoricLiving RoomRestoringBad Taste Author:Genevieve Gorder
“If you want to design a successful human society you need to know what kind of animal we are. Are we a social animal or a selfish animal? Do we respond better when we're solitary or living in a group?” IfsKnowsWantNeedsHumansKindSocialAnimalSuccessfulGroupsDesignSelfishSolitaryHuman Society Author:Frans de Waal
“Innovators have to be open. They have to be able to imagine things that others cannot and be willing to challenge their own preconceptions. They also need to be conscientious. An innovator who has brilliant ideas but lacks the discipline and persistence to carry them out is merely a dreamer ... But crucially, innovators need to be disagreeable ... They are people willing to take social risks-to do things that others might disapprove of.” PeopleNeedsIdeasMightAbleSocialChallengesCreativityImagineRiskDesignWillingDisciplineBrilliantPersistenceDreamerInnovatorsBrilliant IdeasDisagreeablePreconceptions Author:Malcolm Gladwell
“When designing a kitchen, always keep in mind the social aspect.” MindSocialDesignAspectKitchen Author:Michael Mina
“A convention is a social pattern we have chosen to prefer over whatever the raw world simply proffers. It is a sign of the operation of the mind, drawing the assent of a sufficient number of other minds so that the agreement will be widely operative. A convention is not a custom; a custom is a habit in which a sufficient number acquiesce. A custom can appear as a convention, but it is really a lesser act, the result of passive acceptance rather than of the imposition of design. It is the difference between learning to live by the annual flooding of the river or by a calendar.” WorldMindSocialDifferencesResultsNumbersDesignAcceptanceHabitRiversPatternsDrawingChosenOperationsSufficientAgreementLive ByCustomsConventionsPassiveCalendarsAnnualsFloodingImposition Author:A. Bartlett Giamatti