#designblogs

Design blogs offer a wealth of inspiration, resources, and industry insights for designers and enthusiasts alike. read more

Have you seen this? You’ve got to check this out! It’s nice, isn’t it?

Are few of many phrases tossed abruptly into a void brewing across a table. This is commonly paired with the ‘much awaited’ unveiling of a smartphone, where members take turns to present their ‘Simba’ to the rest of the tribe. While we are familiar with the addictive and compulsive behaviours the medium has triggered in us, I believe they have serious implications on creativity and the individual.

A new order As artists and designers, we are well aware of how the Internet and smartphone have empowered us, providing a stage we’ve always longed for; to express, but also be heard. It has done well to offer creativity new and versatile canvases, a life beyond its existence in a gallery or theatre. This is particularly evident with the art world where the medium has successfully taken the art outside it, away from curators and gatekeepers. This, without doubt, has levelled the playing field, offering exposure and opportunities to those muted by an inherent pecking order.

Consequently, the Internet now houses the work of almost every artist, designer, photographer and filmmaker, with access to it all summoned in an instant, with simple gestures of our fingertips. What’s alarming however, is how we incessantly draw, in many cases rather subconsciously, from this giant cloud of inspiration.

Design blogs To cite a recurring scenario at design studios; the first thing we often do at the outset of a new project, is rush online. Enter design blogs Visual supernova Looping hyperlinks Conceptual blitzkrieg Hotchpotch solutions Meanwhile outside the 5K screen Rotting synapses Virgin sketch pads Exit imagination To a large extent our imagination does draw upon past experiences and many would argue it impossible to create without inspiration, but what we fail to acknowledge is how we are hindered by the very thing we hoped would ‘inspire’ us. Overwhelmed by the plethora of design solutions before us, our minds piece together a repurposed solution that might not be appropriate or relevant to our challenge. Before we know it, we’re contributing to a growing pile of sameness, creating more of what people like and less that challenges their perceptions.

Off the shelf Aware of this shift, business are thriving off our ‘off-the-shelf’ approach to design. Stocking creativity in their invisible warehouses, they employ algorithms to analyse our craft, aiming to eventually automate it. Besides commonly used stock photography websites, above are a few examples of platforms that stock creativity. Sophisticated programs like Google’s Autodraw (part of their AI experiments program) take it a step further and instantly recognise doodles, coughing up perfectly crafted graphics in return.

Experiments in AI Growing demands of the industry, coupled with unrealistic timelines, do leave the modern day, T-shaped, multi-faceted designer, depleted of creative juices. While it might only seem sustainable to mechanise the process to some extent, to whatextent is a question we want to be asking ourselves in the times to come. A question that leads to defining our role in the creative process, before we allow other businesses to do that.

Moving forward This of course leads us to the question we all fear asking. Could art, design and other creative outcomes be treated as any other product after all? Could every component of it be studied and understood scientifically over parameters such as time and place. Modern day data analytics would suggest we are not far from this. Moving forward, there is no reason AI couldn’t influence businesses at a more intrinsic level. An off-the-shelf strategy to a successful and profitable investment. A simple decision tree approach could coerce investors to adapt strategies that have been tried, tested and supported by limitless data. A formulated approach that promotes efficiency and restrains creativity. As the pile of sameness grows, it becomes increasingly impossible for the average and, at times, discerning consumer to make a distinction. Is the pile fuelling the growth of the collective and the demise of individuality? Is it perhaps the role of the creative mind, to carve new channels, to not give in, or is resistance futile?

Hi everyone out there! Thank you for over 100.000 notes on my post of the Gres House designed by Luciano Kruk. Thanks for checking out my blog and showing your support by following, liking or reblogging my stuff. I started to post my own findings on architags just a couple of months ago and wasn´t sure how it will work out for you and me. ( i was just reblogging until then.) Turns out i´m much happier now and deeply in love with architecture and space all over the world....uhhh yeah sentiments ;D, ... but actually i really am ! This shift has had a huge impact on my blueprints,concepts and generally my architectural thinking.  

Last but not least i wanna thank you for all messages i received over the last months from newbies and my fellow architecture blogger crowd !!!

Living Wall Frames

For too long, terrariums and succulents have been confined to a tabletop or desk, but fear not! Designer Josh Rosen has created a picture frame-living wall hybrid that lets you proudly display your plants next to all your family photos (assuming you actually took the time to print them out, unlike me). The frames are 100% recyclable, made in California, and benefit ecosystem protection. Check it out over on Design Milk.

Small House Bliss

I'm a bit late on this one, but it's definitely worth pointing out. For those of you who have a soft spot for 'small house designs with big impact,' there's a blog for you: Small House Bliss. Whether you're a fan of modular homes or cottage retreats, this site covers all sorts of projects for inspiration.

Trend Alert: Geometry

Apartment Therapy curated a selection of geometric products that are blowing up the design scene right now. Also, if you missed their announcement last week, Apartment Therapy created an Etsy account where you can purchase Etsy products they mention on their website and find other inspiring things.

- Jake