🙇The Philosophy of Slow Design
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🙇The Philosophy of Slow Design
A newsletter about design and creativity, and how they contribute to a better world.
Welcome to Edition #42 of the Creative Currents newsletter!
In this issue we invite you to explore the fascinating world of design philosophy with a focus on Slow Design. As our fast-paced, technology-driven world places a premium on speed and efficiency, Slow Design represents a counter-movement that advocates a more deliberate and mindful approach. It encourages us to challenge the prevailing culture of rapid consumption by fostering a deeper connection with the products we use and the environments we inhabit.
We are also excited to share our collaboration with Happy Fuel, a personal and professional coaching service that aims to bring joy and purpose back into people's lives. Together we have created a brand strategy and identity that reflects Happy Fuel's unique approach to coaching and personal growth.
Join us as we dive into these fascinating topics and discover the latest design trends, creativity and green initiatives from around the web. From the smart interfaces of the future to the intersection of AI and design, there's a wealth of inspiration waiting for you. Don't miss our Trend Spotlight on Raw Realities, which explores the demand for authentic and unfiltered representations of everyday life. Together, let's navigate the currents of creativity and uncover the possibilities that lie ahead.
In summary of today:
Finding Harmony in Time: The Philosophy of Slow Design
Our work for Happy Fuel
Links from around the web
Trend Spotlight: Raw Realities
Finding Harmony in Time: The Philosophy of Slow Design
In my previous article, I wrote about how to be a proactive designer and how to create an effective/efficient design team. In this article I take a dive into “slow design”.
In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, where speed and efficiency are valued above all else, a counter-movement is emerging that advocates a more deliberate and mindful approach to design. A philosophy rooted in intentionality and sustainability, Slow Design seeks to challenge the prevailing culture of rapid consumption by fostering a deeper connection with the products we use and the environments we inhabit.
Quality over quantity: At the heart of Slow Design is the belief that quality triumphs over quantity. Instead of rushing to produce mass-produced items, Slow Design promotes the creation of thoughtfully crafted, durable products that stand the test of time. It encourages designers to focus on the inherent beauty of materials, meticulous attention to detail and functional simplicity.
Good design takes time. It's a process of trial and error. You try things out, see what works and what doesn't. I think if you take the time, you get good quality that is more impactful and meaningful. We often get clients who say 'I want it ASAP'. Our response is that we follow a process. A process that takes time but always produces a valuable 'good design' output. A process that is 1. efficient and 2. takes time. Time to produce good work that you and your team can be proud of. These 2 principles must always be in balance. When an imbalance occurs, try to reflect and see where you can correct it.
Collaboration is at the heart of design, transcending individual efforts to create a collective synergy that transcends the boundaries of solitary work. Design should be a catalyst for connection, inviting collaboration and mutual learning. By creating a space/studio where designers can come together, share their knowledge and be inspired by each other, we try to unlock the immense potential of diverse perspectives and experiences. Collaboration cultivates an environment where ideas are refined, refined again and transformed into designs that resonate with a wider audience of your project. It is through collaboration that we push the boundaries of isolation and harness the power of the collective creativity, ultimately shaping a world where design thrives on the richness of collaboration.
I'm not against fast production and/or new technology in general. In fact, I think, when used correctly, they can produce better creative “meaningful” results. I just think that sometimes we need to rebalance and go back to the traditional principles of design and take the time to think things through. Good design takes time.
Written by Martijn van der Does
Do you have a design or creativity-related question that you would like to have answered? Mail them to us at hello@wonderland.studio and we’ll take it from there.
Happy Fuel is a personal and professional coaching service with the purpose to empower individuals to find their own path to happiness. They aim to bring back joy and purpose in people’s lives by helping them discover what works for them, and by focusing on the real and vulnerable facets that make every individual unique.
We collaborated with Happy Fuel to create a brand strategy and identity that embodies their approach to coaching within personal growth and discovery based on experimentation.
Extensive research was conducted to understand Happy Fuel's industry landscape, including its competitors, the coaching and wellness culture and the sentiments of its target audience. The findings revealed that the wellness industry was undergoing a transformation, with a shift from a culture of perfection to one of realism. People were seeking joy and maximalism as coping mechanisms in response to the challenges of the modern world.
Based on these insights, Happy Fuel's brand identity was carefully crafted to align with the concept. The logo typeface was designed to capture the multifaceted nature of people and their real, raw emotions. Each letter in the logo represents an emotion and interchanges to capture diversity and transformation.
The colour palette was inspired by desired outcomes such as energy, clarity, compassion and drive. In addition, surreal art paired with handwritten doodles added humour, playfulness and self-reflection to the brand.
This week’s interesting design, creativity, and green initiatives finds from the web.
Scoring a goal for the planet, FC Dordrecht organises first climate-neutral soccer match
A bunch of scroll-driven demo animations for your next project
I'm In My 30s. This Is The Career Advice I Wish I'd Gotten In My 20s.
Should We, and Can We, Put the Brakes on Artificial Intelligence?
AI designed a couch that weighs 22 pounds and fits in an envelope
Trend Spotlight: Raw Realities
As expectations for genuine and diverse representations continue to soar, there is a growing demand for capturing unfiltered moments and raw realities that accurately reflect everyday life. The way people express their emotions online has undergone a transformation, shifting from suppression to celebration. No longer satisfied with curated content, they now seek untamed instances that authentically portray the messy and tumultuous nature of life, including tears, rage, and despair.
So, why is this transformation happening?
Gen Z, in particular, has been driving the cultural discourse surrounding emotional well-being, fostering supportive environments where individuals can freely express their emotions. Faced with the harsh realities of life in 2023, marked by a faltering economy and the lingering effects of the pandemic that have exacerbated a mental health crisis, young people are embracing emotional authenticity as a way to practice self-care. This shift is evident in popular TikTok and twitter trends like #femalerage, #sadfishing, and #girlfailure, highlighting their growing embrace of diverse emotional experiences.
What does it mean for brands?
Diversify your visual content with messy and imperfect moments that align with your brand. This way, you can create visual content that strikes a chord and resonates with your audience.
Don't be afraid to address uncomfortable emotions through visual and verbal language. Let people know that all feelings are valid, but avoid going overboard.
Want to see more examples and dive deeper into this trend? Check out the links below.
Our data and strategy team will cover trend insights on a biweekly basis. See an insight or trend you'd like us to explain? Email it to hello@wonderland.studio and we'll take it from there.
Designing in squares: Erkin Karamemet takes us on the historical journey behind his Modena typeface
The article provides a brief historical overview of this letterform style, which is then followed by Karamemet's own insights and considerations during the design process of Modena.
Modena is unique in that it offers various widths for different weights, making it a versatile typeface. Karamemet shares his observations and meticulous approach to designing within this genre, highlighting the careful thought and attention that went into creating Modena.
