Design Nouveau
A Manifesto for the Radical Redefinition of Design in the Age of AI
A new age of design is dawning
Digital products permeate every facet of our lives.
We are the designers who shape the interfaces of these digital products, and we demand more from ourselves.
We challenge the status quo and begin a radical departure from the prevailing design practices.
We question the dominant engineering mindset, dismiss the dogma of form following function, shatter the illusion of minimalism, and obliterate the constraints of linearity.
We embark on a journey of rediscovery, embracing artistic principles rooted in tangibility, natural forms, the unicity of objects, and the texture and materiality of the physical world.
Only by infusing technology with aesthetic, moral, and cultural criteria can we reshape the digital landscape into a realm that truly resonates with our human essence.
Postulate 1: The Demise of the Engineering Mindset
The engineering mindset, with its relentless focus on efficiency, functionality, and optimization, has reduced digital design to a soulless assembly line of standardized interfaces.
We declare an end to this narrow perspective that overlooks the richness of human experience.
Instead, we embrace a holistic approach — one that values creativity, emotional resonance, and the intangible aspects of existence.
By freeing ourselves from the constraints of the engineering mindset, we forge digital products that transcend mere utility and become conduits of meaning and inspiration.
Postulate 2: Form Shall No Longer Follow Function
The notion that form should obediently follow function has stifled our capacity for artistic expression within the digital realm.
We reject this constraint and demand a rebellion against the tyranny of functionality.
We break free from the shackles of utility and allow form to take center stage, embracing unconventional shapes, organic contours, and unexpected aesthetics.
By liberating form from the clutches of function, we create digital objects that evoke curiosity, challenge conventions, and provoke emotional responses.
Postulate 3: Minimalism, a False Ideal
Minimalism, with its stark simplicity and reductionism, has dominated the digital design landscape for far too long.
We denounce this superficial pursuit of emptiness and call for an end to the minimalist dogma.
Instead, with the support of generative AI, we celebrate complexity, intricacy, and richness in our digital creations.
By embracing layers, ornamentation, and visual opulence, we engage users on a deeper level, stimulating their senses and igniting their imagination. In this rejection of minimalism, we discover a boundless wellspring for creativity, where the digital realm becomes a tapestry of sensory delight.
Postulate 4: Linearity Must be Shattered
The linear nature of digital experiences has trapped us in a predictable, preordained path, devoid of surprise and spontaneity.
We demand the obliteration of linearity and the embrace of nonlinear narratives and nonsequential interactions.
We create digital environments that allow for exploration, serendipity, and discovery.
By introducing branching paths, hidden corners, and multidimensional experiences, we invite users to engage with technology in a manner that mirrors the complexity and unpredictability of the human journey.
Postulate 5: Rediscovering Artistic Principles
It is time to resurrect artistic principles that have long been sidelined in the digital world.
We advocate for the rediscovery of tangibility, where digital interfaces mimic the tactile sensations of the physical world, providing a multisensory experience that transcends the flatness of screens.
We champion the use of natural forms, drawing inspiration from the organic beauty found in nature, infusing digital products with a sense of harmony and vitality.
We celebrate the unicity of objects, rejecting mass production and embracing customization and personalization.
Furthermore, we return to texture and materiality, using innovative materials and tactile feedback to bridge the gap between the virtual and the physical.
Postulate 6: Aesthetic, Moral, and Cultural Criteria for Technology
The time has come to establish stringent criteria for technology that extend beyond functionality and profitability.
We demand the integration of aesthetic, moral, and cultural considerations into the design and development of digital products.
Technology should not be divorced from its impact on society, but rather should reflect and reinforce our shared values and aspirations.
We prioritize sustainability, inclusivity, and social responsibility in our digital creations, ensuring that they contribute to a more equitable and compassionate world.
Postulate 7: Embracing the Unpredictable and Imperfect
In our pursuit of digital perfection, we have lost sight of the beauty inherent in the unpredictable and imperfect.
We call for a shift in mindset — one that embraces serendipity, randomness, and the genuine idiosyncrasies of human existence.
We welcome digital “glitches” as moments of artistic expression, celebrating the unexpected as a source of inspiration and innovation.
By relinquishing our obsession with control, we invite the spontaneous and the imperfect, breathing life into our digital creations.
A Radical Renaissance of Digital Design
With unwavering resolve, we declare the need for a radical redefinition of digital design.
We reject the shallow conformity of the engineering mindset, the stifling constraints of form following function, the illusion of minimalism, and the monotony of linearity.
In their place, we rediscover artistic principles rooted in tangibility, natural forms, the unicity of objects, and the texture and materiality of the physical world.
We impose aesthetic, moral, and cultural criteria for technology, infusing digital products with depth, meaning, and a profound connection to our shared humanity.
This is a call to disrupt the digital landscape, to challenge the norms, and to create a new paradigm where technology becomes a true expression of human creativity, curiosity, and diversity.
Together, we embark on a journey of unapologetic provocation, pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable, to forge a future where digital design becomes a vibrant, untamed canvas for the human spirit to flourish.
The time for compromise is over.
Let us rise, embrace the controversy, and manifest a radical renaissance of digital design.
