Designers on Strike
Designers on Strike
From: designersonstrike.com
Design is the only profession in the world that doesn’t get to go on strike, because if we did, it would look something disastrous like this.
(This is also what makes design the most under-appreciated field of work in the world. If you think police officers are to thank for your public safety, just wait until the designers of the world get fed up with improving upon public infrastructure.)
Navigational Nightmares
Imagine waking up in a world where every street sign, traffic light, and pathway is gone. Civil engineers and urban designers create the navigational systems that make your daily commute possible. Without them, roads become confusing mazes, traffic grinds to a halt, and accidents skyrocket. Your morning commute will turn into a stressful, chaotic journey with no clear destination. GPS and navigation apps will fail to guide you, leaving you lost and frustrated in your own city.
Pollution Crisis: Living in a Toxic Dump
Environmental designers ensure sustainable practices in industries. Without them, factories operate without regard to pollution control, filling the air and water with toxic waste. Streets overflow with garbage as there are no thoughtfully designed trash and recycling systems. The absence of sustainable design will turn the world around you into an unsustainable mess, accelerating climate change and creating severe health hazards. Air quality will deteriorate, leading to increased respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation.
Daily Frustrations: Products That Fail You
Your beloved gadgets and tools will become nightmares. Smartphones will be clunky and confusing, with interfaces that make even sending a text difficult. Kitchen appliances will be user-unfriendly, making simple tasks like brewing coffee or cooking dinner frustratingly complex. Furniture will be uncomfortable, lacking the ergonomic design that makes your living spaces pleasant and functional. Everyday items you take for granted will become sources of constant frustration, slowing down your daily routines and increasing your stress levels.
The Collapse of Public Transportation
Public transportation, without the input of transit designers, will become a logistical nightmare. Buses and trains will run without schedules, routes will be illogical, and stations will lack clear signage. Missed connections and endless delays will become the norm, making travel convoluted and stressful. Your ability to move safely through your city will be severely compromised, leading to wasted time and heightened anxiety.
Navigating a Confusing Online World
Websites and apps, stripped of intuitive design, will become difficult to navigate. Important information will be buried under layers of poorly organized content. Simple online tasks will become time-consuming frustrations. Your digital world, which once enhanced productivity and enjoyment, will become a source of constant annoyance. Online banking, shopping, and even communicating with loved ones will become burdensome tasks.
A Breakdown in Medical Safety
Hospitals and medical equipment, without thoughtful design, will become intimidating and inefficient. Patient comfort and ease of use for healthcare professionals will be ignored, leading to increased stress and reduced care quality. Everyday safety features, from ergonomic office chairs to accessible emergency exits, will disappear, making your environments more hazardous. Your well-being and safety will be at greater risk, from both medical errors and everyday accidents.
Loss of Functionality
Art, fashion, and architecture will lose their appeal. Public spaces will become dull and lifeless. Your surroundings, once vibrant and stimulating, will turn into bland, uninspired environments. The beauty and functionality that designers bring to everyday life will vanish, reducing your overall quality of life. Cultural landmarks and community spaces will become neglected, eroding the social fabric and sense of belonging in your communities.
Innovation Freeze: Stagnation in Technological Progress
Designers bridge the gap between technology and user experience. Without us, innovation will slow as new technologies become less accessible and user-friendly. Complex systems, which once improved your life, will become incomprehensible and frustrating. Progress will decelerate, and your ability to adapt to new advancements will diminish. The frustration of using poorly designed technologies will stifle your productivity and limit your opportunities.
Reflecting on the Importance of Design
Our strike is a wake-up call to recognize the crucial role we play in making your life usable and enjoyable. From navigating your city and using everyday products to accessing digital content and ensuring safety, our work is integral to your daily experiences. Without us, the usability of your world collapses, leaving you in a state of constant frustration and inefficiency. We hope this absence makes you appreciate the design that shapes your life.
Reflect on this and understand the depth of our impact. We’re not just here to make things look good; we’re here to make your world functional, livable, and understandable.
Your quality of life depends on it.
If you think police officers are to thank for your public safety, just wait until the designers of the world get fed up with improving upon public infrastructure.
Good luck out there,
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This week: World Design Festival powered by Tijuana Design week (video recap)