We live in an era of rapid technological evolution and consumerism. Radical advancements such as virtual reality, Web3.0 and most recently artificial intelligence are sweeping through our lives at an unprecedented pace. The current economy thrives on these technological breakthroughs, and many businesses —both large and small— eagerly pivot to capitalize on the attention and hype surrounding them. This reflects the current mindset of technological solutionism [2] where technology is seen as the answer to all problems and is often deployed as a quick fix rather than a tool to create genuine value for people. A prominent example of this is the widespread and sometimes hasty implementation of artificial intelligence, often without consideration for the ethics and risks involved [1, 4].
I envision a future in which products are designed to add value to people’s lives rather than fueling a culture of fast-paced consumerism. A future in which people, and not technology, are central in the design process. My perspective aligns closely with the principles of Human-Centered Design (HCD) as introduced by Donald Norman [3]. The human-centered approach to design prioritizes understanding the needs and experiences of users, tailoring designs to their context and addressing core problems rather than creating quick fixes. By focusing on these fundamentals, we can create products that have a lasting and meaningful purpose, instead of being rendered obsolete by the next technological trend.
My personal design philosophy is to value function over form, and this extends to how I view technology’s role in design as well. I don’t see new technologies as universal solutions to every problem, however, they are also not something to be shunned. Rather, I see technology as a valuable tool that, when applied thoughtfully, can address specific challenges. Design offers a unique space for identifying real-world problems and matching them with the right (technological) solutions.
An open and critical mindset is essential for designers, as it allows us to embrace technological advancements while ensuring they are used responsibly and effectively. With deliberate and thoughtful application of technology we can then unlock its true potential. Therefore, the focus should not be on technology for its own sake but on its appropriate use in the right circumstances to create meaningful and long-lasting impact.
As designers, we should strive for creating solutions that prioritize people’s needs and experiences rather than fleeting trends. I foresee we can leverage technologies as deliberate tools to address real-world problems in impactful ways. In the future, design will centre on human values, combining critical thinking and innovation to deliver lasting and meaningful results.
[1] Jan-Christoph Heilinger. 2022. The Ethics of AI Ethics. A Constructive Critique. Philos. Technol. 35, 3 (July 2022), 61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-022-00557-9
[2] Evgeny Morozov. 2013. To Save Everything, Click Here. Public Affairs.
[3] Donald A. Norman. 1998. The Invisible Computer : Why Good Products Can Fail, the Personal Computer Is So Complex, and Information Appliances Are the Solution / D.A. Norman. ResearchGate. Retrieved January 13, 2025 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/31683073_The_Invisible_Computer_Why_Good_Products_Can_Fail_the_Personal_Computer_Is_So_Complex_and_Information_Appliances_Are_the_Solution_DA_Norman
[4] Rifat Ara Shams, Didar Zowghi, and Muneera Bano. 2023. Challenges and Solutions in AI for All. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2307.10600