Design Thoughts

As makers we tend to create things from the instance of momentous usage. What would the user do when he clicks this, or what would the user do when he is in this situation. Most of our design processes and methods have been traditionally focussed on design for that particular moment or period. However, the success of most designs is not just relevant to the aha moments of joy or failure. Human beings live a life, a period of continuous actions and reactions with multiple facets of objects and processes around them, hence the existence of our designs over a period of time needs to be treated as much seriously as we see the particular time period of use. While I write this I clearly do understand the limitations that drive us to design and develop things for specific moments. Firstly the challenge is to imagine a longer period of time for our users, the world is uncertain and may not always showcase results as we plan them to, we all know that systemically its not just one thi...

When you look at the animal kingdom, most of the times they try to use best of what they are. But as humans we are blessed with the notion of synthetic extensions. We tend to cover our natural selves to put up an identity that we desire to be...Be it at physical level by using perfumes, fancy clothes or even makeup or grooming. Or even at a psychological level many times we are not even true to our selves, or even in presence of certain audience or environments.  The question then is not about is it good or bad to have this facade over our existing selves, but its about our discomfort with our natural self. Why are we humans not comfortable being ourself always? Some may argue that the mask we put up on ourselves is just an extension as against a facade. But then even there whats . wrong with the plain jane us? Is it too boring or is it the drive to prove our identity distinct from other humans? Or perhaps human capability lies in projection of identities in dif...

As humans we all face various levels of struggles and challenges travelling through the journey called life. But there is a magical part in our lives which we often ignore or are not cognizant about. It starts as kids when we believe in the starry fairy tales or start role playing into worlds that exist in the corner of our minds. But it doesnt end there, however serious and "professional" the adultworld may look our illusions dont change. Infact we still have illusions as a prime motivator in our thoughts. We still love to be swept away in a world that is different from the real. More so when we are adults. We watch movies or plays just to imagine ourselves as the protagonist living the life that we imagine we could live. And even if you are a billionaire life doesnt stop there, we want to cut away from the steady routine reality and breakaway into short sweet bubbles of momentary comfort. Todays technology makes being in the illusive space even more easier a...

Our thinking is a critical facet to our impact on this planet. And ofcourse our thinking is not autonomous, it just doesnt happen out of nowhere, we dont think in isolation, we think through the influences that affect our thoughts...hence these influences matter to make or break the identity that we become over time. Just think of the amount of things around you even at this particular instance influencing you. Be it television channels, newspaper articles or even a random sound across the street. The immense capacity of such influences affecting not just ur conscious but also subconscious mind is pretty amazing. And then this becomes a part of the greater thought process that lingers in your head while tackling through actions that require decision or even creativity that matters. But wait a second, if each of these aspects are affecting your thought process, doesnt it mean that they have the power to influence your actions, and hence your existence. Agreed that they cannot mak...

We humans are truly complex creatures, we delve around in spaces creating identities which at times even we are not very aware of. When we travel around through cities as an outsider, we see many thoughts many spaces that make what the city is all about. May be generalizations or even pure facade...but cities do have an identity and that in turn surely affects its citizens...... Sitting across a public place as an audience gives a wide range of people to observe...especially when you are all alone and keen on looking around you. Take for example an airport...you see families capturing their final moments with their loved ones...kids running around or even crying to the fear of the crowd...taxi drivers waiting with name plates of unknown faces...looking for a perfect match. And then there are the guards doing their jobs without losing their cool...some guy rushes in delayed for his flight...while some other relishing the eatables around waiting lavishly....some business guys in the...