03.28 // Module I: Class & Labor Discussion
Lecture
We began the class with a 20-minute lecture from Ahmed that tied questions of labor more directly to design. First, he talked about William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, explaining how the movement was a response to industrialization and an attempt to meld mass-production with the uniqueness and skill of craftsmanship. In so doing, the movement intended to address the changing nature of labor that came with industrialization but also to revive a particular cultural aesthetic. Marysol also mentioned that Morris wrote about the joy of making by hand, and that the product that results is a reflection of the joy that went into its production.
Next, Ahmed talked about Pelle Ehn and the origins of participatory / co-design. Ehn also intended to address the changing nature of work, but this time the concern was with the nature of computation and how that would affect workers who were not trained to use computers. Where historically design was focused on the end user, Ehn called for “worker-centered design” that included workers in the design of more intuitive software and interfaces they would be immersed in. The origins of participatory design then called for the inclusion of all stakeholders who are affected by the changing nature of work.
Finally, Ahmed briefly mentioned design theorist Damian White’s focus on Just Transition, which focuses on the changing nature of labor in transitional times.
Discussion
Next, we split the class into 8 teams, with each team led by one provocateur. The provocateurs were asked in advanced to bring a designed artifact to center the discussion around, and then come up with a few questions or prompts to keep the discussion moving forward. By the end, each group was asked to present two or three key insights from the discussion.
The class had about 30 minutes to discuss, and we were impressed with how rich the discussions were amongst all the groups. Though we were initially concerned 30 minutes might be too long for the class, almost all of the discussions had to be cut short due to limitations on time.
Sharing back
The last 25 minutes of the class were spent sharing back with the rest of the class the key insights from each group. Aside from leading the discussion and presenting insights, the provocateurs are also responsible for submitting their list of questions, insights, and the articles and/or artifact to the instructors for review.
Highlights
Some highlights from the presentations are:
- A consideration of the designer’s responsibility downstream to ensure workers aren’t being exploited
- A call to create a closer connection between design and production—both to engender empathy for workers, but also to gain greater understanding of how our design impacts labor
- Pros and cons of Tech in relation to labor
- A need to consider not just types of labor, but the entire system and how our understanding of work/labor perpetuates a particular system
- The potential for the Tech boom to enable a modern Renaissance that provides more time to focus on the arts and human ideals
- A need for companies to consider the personal development of labor force, too, not just wages
- Designer’s role and responsibility in a Capitalistic system
