Skinning the Matrix
Warning: Vague concepts approaching. Those whose hearts favor more concrete design observations may be at risk of losing their sanity reading this post. Proceed with caution.
Defining the Design Matrix is a bit like peeling an onion. You start by removing the visible outer layers, progressing deeper and deeper into the core of the onion until at last, there is no onion left to peel. At this point you might conclude there was actually no onion at all, but your watery eyes and discarded layers speak otherwise. So it is with understanding the Design Matrix we currently create within. After we're done peeling, I hope you're not left empty handed (or empty headed for that matter). Let’s begin.
You don't need to be Steven Heller to spot the outer layer of the Design Matrix. The outer layer is visible everywhere. It consists of these well worn concepts: design versus art, business, corporate, mediocrity, do-it-yourselfers, low-ballers, the uneducated, the system, etc. It is design versus whatever is out there separate from design. This outermost Design Matrix layer is embodied in SpeakUp, Brand New, HOW, Print and a host of other avatars. The key to identifying this outermost layer is that design is apart from, or set against something other than itself. It's the layer that people not in the design profession most come into contact. It's also the thinnest layer in terms of meaning and content. Unfortunately, most of the world sees only this layer in the Design Matrix. Make sense? No tearing up yet I hope. Let's dig deeper.
Once we skin the outer layer, we begin to see a meaty inner core. Here design focuses on itself. If you've been in the Design Matrix for more than a couple of years, you'll probably find yourself quite comfortable and well versed in this inner core. The inner core manifests itself as moral crusades within the fabric of design to elevate the purity of the profession or decry its state of decay. Themes include going back to the basics of the craft, design for the public good, educating an audience on the merits of design, AIGA clean-up crusades, cultural relevance campaigns, design that touches the heart… Examples include this blog to some extent, Design Observer, Design Matters, Rick Poyner and Bruce Mau. Here design introspects, retrospects, reflects and even refluxes. Design has been wallowing in this layer of the Matrix for most of it's history--until now. Old timers and even the young and the restless have begun to long for something more. Something to make their eyes water. Something to give more life and purpose to design beyond padding corporate pockets and even doing good. There is an inner restlessness that can't honestly be self-suppressed.
Enter the inner core of the Design Matrix. This juicy sanctum focuses on the Design Matrix within the designer themselves. We've touched on the subject before . The core could be called the Design Matrix's inner Agent Smith. For those who didn't see the movie The Matrix, Agent Smith and his companions were the most feared enforcers of the Matrix. You might call them inner design pharaohs: fear of failure; creativity restricted by our personal world view; designing for dollars; perfectionist tendencies in our own work—you can fill in the blank. These inner pharaohs are very powerful in the Design Matrix. They exist within each of us and exert the greatest degree of control on our creative lives. They cloak themselves in the first two layers in order to maintain the Design Matrix status quo. You won't hear much about this layer from colleagues and hardly ever at conferences. It rules the Design Matrix of our lives silently and relentlessly. It has the ability to oppress our creativity and rob us of joy.
It would be understandable to stop this crazy post after reaching the juicy inner core of the Design Matrix. You could say that there is nothing left in your hand to peel. True. But there is a far more hidden and important part of the Design Matrix left to uncover. One that has not been revealed until now. So, you have a choice. You take the blue pill and the post ends. You continue your day and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, and read the upcoming post, and I'll show you how deep the Design Matrix goes. Remember, all I am offering is the truth, nothing more.
Defining the Design Matrix is a bit like peeling an onion. You start by removing the visible outer layers, progressing deeper and deeper into the core of the onion until at last, there is no onion left to peel. At this point you might conclude there was actually no onion at all, but your watery eyes and discarded layers speak otherwise. So it is with understanding the Design Matrix we currently create within. After we're done peeling, I hope you're not left empty handed (or empty headed for that matter). Let’s begin.
You don't need to be Steven Heller to spot the outer layer of the Design Matrix. The outer layer is visible everywhere. It consists of these well worn concepts: design versus art, business, corporate, mediocrity, do-it-yourselfers, low-ballers, the uneducated, the system, etc. It is design versus whatever is out there separate from design. This outermost Design Matrix layer is embodied in SpeakUp, Brand New, HOW, Print and a host of other avatars. The key to identifying this outermost layer is that design is apart from, or set against something other than itself. It's the layer that people not in the design profession most come into contact. It's also the thinnest layer in terms of meaning and content. Unfortunately, most of the world sees only this layer in the Design Matrix. Make sense? No tearing up yet I hope. Let's dig deeper.
Once we skin the outer layer, we begin to see a meaty inner core. Here design focuses on itself. If you've been in the Design Matrix for more than a couple of years, you'll probably find yourself quite comfortable and well versed in this inner core. The inner core manifests itself as moral crusades within the fabric of design to elevate the purity of the profession or decry its state of decay. Themes include going back to the basics of the craft, design for the public good, educating an audience on the merits of design, AIGA clean-up crusades, cultural relevance campaigns, design that touches the heart… Examples include this blog to some extent, Design Observer, Design Matters, Rick Poyner and Bruce Mau. Here design introspects, retrospects, reflects and even refluxes. Design has been wallowing in this layer of the Matrix for most of it's history--until now. Old timers and even the young and the restless have begun to long for something more. Something to make their eyes water. Something to give more life and purpose to design beyond padding corporate pockets and even doing good. There is an inner restlessness that can't honestly be self-suppressed.
Enter the inner core of the Design Matrix. This juicy sanctum focuses on the Design Matrix within the designer themselves. We've touched on the subject before . The core could be called the Design Matrix's inner Agent Smith. For those who didn't see the movie The Matrix, Agent Smith and his companions were the most feared enforcers of the Matrix. You might call them inner design pharaohs: fear of failure; creativity restricted by our personal world view; designing for dollars; perfectionist tendencies in our own work—you can fill in the blank. These inner pharaohs are very powerful in the Design Matrix. They exist within each of us and exert the greatest degree of control on our creative lives. They cloak themselves in the first two layers in order to maintain the Design Matrix status quo. You won't hear much about this layer from colleagues and hardly ever at conferences. It rules the Design Matrix of our lives silently and relentlessly. It has the ability to oppress our creativity and rob us of joy.
It would be understandable to stop this crazy post after reaching the juicy inner core of the Design Matrix. You could say that there is nothing left in your hand to peel. True. But there is a far more hidden and important part of the Design Matrix left to uncover. One that has not been revealed until now. So, you have a choice. You take the blue pill and the post ends. You continue your day and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, and read the upcoming post, and I'll show you how deep the Design Matrix goes. Remember, all I am offering is the truth, nothing more.
posted by fivemcclungs at 12:57 PM
1 Comments:
I don't see this Design Matrix as an onion of layers. I don't but the dessign exhaustion that blogs and writers present sometimes because I believe that inner and outer aspects of design are just THERE. Nothing special. Restlessness is good. It keeps the channels of creation open and that is more than enough for me.
Both SpeakUp and Design Observer go thru cycles and its perfectly fine. They hit shallow waters and then sometimes go deeper. But inner core....that's personal and I don't talk about design from that place with anyone. Its my source. When I reach hard times, I turn to reading poetry, because it's unfettered lyricism...Then I go back to work refreshed.
God bless.
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