CHANGES IN THE CRISIS
For 33 years Steven Heller was an art director at the New York Times, originally on the oped page and for almost 30 of those years with the New York Times book review. Currently, he is co-chair of the MFA Designer as author department, special consultant to the president of SVA for new programs, and writes the visual column for the New York Times book review.
For NOVINOW he answered the following two questions:
1. In which way do you think the current economic crisis will change our values and our society?Do you think (or hope) such changes will be enduring?
There is always the hope that people will be less reckless, less greedy, less stupid about finance. I don’t think this will happen. I see the current crisis like a forrest fire. It burns out of control and causes much damage. But in its place, the surviving seeds will grow. There may be some government intervention and regulation to protect people from the errors of the past. But they won’t last long. The changes in values will be minimal at best.
As I said above, I think changes are not revolutionary or enduring. The history of the world seems to suggest that Crisis begets change, but then complacency kicks in.
2. Which role does design play in this context? How will such changes be portrayed and will there be new forms or directions in design?
Frankly, I’m not sure. I think designers have to play a role in changing the paradigms of practice. That is pro active. To rely on DESIGN to be the agent of change is more tenuous. I’m of the mind that information will increase and designers must address that. I also feel that entrepreneurism will increase as a hedge against unpredictable markets.
