Towards a Culturally Driven Approach for the Development of Strategic Design Concepts
Year: 2010
Editor: Andreas Dagman; Rikard Söderberg
Author: Liem, Andre; Linea, Ane; Gadaria, Dharmesh
Section: Design Issues
Page(s): 97-108
Abstract
This article attempts to argue that social, political and economic perspectives supported by a cultural understanding of societies and regions are the cornerstones for a more comprehensive external analysis. Extreme trends and developments in nations´ political, economical and social situation are a source for innovation. As social, political and economical developments in a society are difficult to change overnight; various case studies have illustrated the potential role of design in improving the negative aspects of these developments, usually represented by extreme cultural trends, through innovative design concepts. A bottom-up analysis of the case studies resulted in the six (6) preliminary categories, which can function as a guide for a broader approach in terms of future external analysis and goal finding. These categories are:
- Healthcare and elderly care
- Working and living
- Education and manpower development
- Purchase of food, products and services
- Mobility /Transportation of goods and people
- Interaction and Communication
However at this moment, it cannot be guaranteed that design concepts generated from a cultural difference perspective are more innovative than others.
Keywords: Cultural Dimensions, Product Strategy, Innovation, Goal Finding