Design and Social Justice

Design is very relevant from a psychological perspective. We walk through different designed spaces everyday and learn about what kinds of behaviors are expected on those spaces. We learn about what kinds of people are in those spaces, we learn about historic legacy, we learn about current investment. We learn about our place in the world based on the places where we spend time. This learning perhaps does not occur explicitly, it just happens as we decode social norms that shape and are shaped by the physical environment.

Dignifying Design

This article in the NY Times talks about design and justice. It is usually the case that those that are wealthy or powerful are the ones surrounded by useful and beautiful design. It is much more relevant to provide well designed spaces for those that do not have access to it. Because of the information that we learn from our surroundings, we could influence the knowledge that people have about themselves by changing the environments in which they spend time.

I believe in providing better and more adequate design, that is culturally aware, and that is produced in collaboration with the space users. Schools designed under these premises can become successful learning communities.