Toward a Common Practice—Introduction

This paper presents practice and theory that inform a non-exhaustive proposal for alternative design practice. The research was not prompted by a moment of epiphany or driven by a focused line of enquiry. It was motivated by a deep, unarticulated sense of discontent and disempowerment with the conditions and systems of graphic design practice after ten years in industry. To provide brief geo-political context, it is worthwhile noting that I was raised in an apolitical family, studied a Bachelor of Design at the Queensland College of Art (2003-05) and have worked in permanent and freelance roles in Brisbane, Melbourne and London. My experience is primarily in editorial, exhibitions and branding within design studios, agencies and publishers.

Presented herein are three chapters, each being concerned with the context-specific state of individual reflection, labour practices and common space. Acceleration (or) Extraordinary popular delusions and the madness of crowds examines the structural framework within which contemporary design operates. It follows the thinking of Paul Virilio in challenging the logic of accelerated culture – characterised by an emphasis on productivity and dematerialisation. Deceleration (or) Observations on the feeling of the beautiful and the sublime considers the cultural history of walking as a counter to accelerated culture. Critically, this chapter identifies the strategies of digression and association as a possible working methodology. Digression (or) A portrait of the artist as a young man takes a different approach, applying the research and insights from past experience, to make proposals for alternative design practice. The practical resolution of the project is a website that will map this endeavour.

How might the literary strategies of digression and association (inherent in the act of walking) be adopted in design practice to examine contemporary attitudes toward individual reflection, labour and public space?

Rebecca Solnit has been central to this project. The writer, historian, and activist sees her work as ‘Finding ways to value what is elusive and overlooked, to describe nuances and shades of meaning, to celebrate public life and solitary life and – in John Berger’s phrase – to find another way of telling’(1). – an intention that this research project shares.

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Continue to the first chapter, or download a pdf.

References

1. Harper’s Magazine (2019) The Mother of All Questions. Available at: www.harpers.org/archive/2015/10/the-mother-of-all-questions/3/ (Accessed 24 April 2019).