The Three Stooges Reunite

Something strange is occurring out there: art, business and design are finding each other. This isn't the first time in history where these three have met (think Renaissance), but it may be the first time they've had a soul searching encounter of this magnitude. Recently, I read a very good speech given by Daniel Pink (author of Free Agent Nation) to the Ringling School of Design's graduating class that stopped me in my tracks. Here's a quote:

"These two forces—automation and globalization—are profoundly changing the world of work. They mean any job that is based on simply following a prescribed set of rules—that can be reduced to a spec sheet or configured to produce a singe right answer—is a goner. And that means that the jobs that remain will be the sort of things that computers can't do faster and low-wage overseas knowledge workers can't do cheaper. The jobs that remain will involve creating beauty and touching the human soul. They'll rely less on the sort of left brain, SAT kind of intelligence we've been schooled to respect and hectored into worshipping – and more on the right brain qualities of art and heart. Art and heart. Creating something the world didn't know it was missing. Forging meaningful relationships and empathizing with others. These are qualities that are difficult to replicate. These are qualities that will define the workforce of the future."

And Pink's not the only one to understand the connection between the three. Here's what creative director and business humorist Hugh MacLeod says, "At the center of every human soul is the longing to be closer to God. A brand that can empathize with that is powerful." And I could go on and on. I don't see awakening as the same New Age type of spirituality we saw pervading art, design and culture in the '80s and '90s. This is different. Designers, artists and business folks are exploring these three professions with a much more honest and open perspective than ever before. I hope that we can join in the discussion in a meaningful way here on B L A N K.