Citizen Designer

How do you put the words “citizen” and “designer” together in education, in practice and in society?

A call to service is one of the defining elements in the new administration, and a diverse group of leaders—from the academy, foundations, and civic organizations—gathered for a discussion about design and leadership today. Participants recognized this moment in history as a unique opportunity for action. They considered not only how we might direct architects and designers who are inspired by this call, but also how we can shape architecture and design education so that the future of these professions is defined through community service and action.

Innovation and design have a long tradition in the United States. In the 20th century, public figures such as Senator Patrick Moynihan demonstrated leadership that understood the relationship between design excellence and democracy. Participants referenced the Mayors Institute, Healthy Cities initiative, Rural Studio, and Architecture for Humanity as some examples of groups initiating positive change into the 21st century.

Design literate citizens will demand good design. The growing public interest in design is an opportunity for the design community, in partnership with education, to encourage all citizens to employ design thinking to promote positive change in their communities and the environment. An integration of design literacy into K-12 education will foster citizens who better understand how design impacts their lives every day.