After the impactful Arts and Crafts Movement in the 19th century, the Werkbund Movement, Art Nouveau, and the Bauhaus in the 20th century, today, it's essential for responsible designers to unite and tackle human challenges.
During the era of AI dominance and powerful brands of the 21st century, this movement addresses aesthetic challenges, seeking to preserve human calm of mind.
The Vand International Institute in France is the originator of this movement, dedicated to fostering an ethical world through design.
This institution focuses on the social responsibilities of design.
The Victorian era (1850) aimed to enhance visual experiences. Art Nouveau rebelled against 19th-century academic art. The Werkbund (1907) united arts and crafts. Art Deco (1920s) simplified decorations for affordability, and Bauhaus (1919) made mass production practical and aesthetic.
But, in the 21st century, while the world is saturated with commercialism, digitalisation, cartoonish styles, and unaesthetic designs driven by global brands, applications, social media, and AI, many designs have prioritised business, designing creativity and attractiveness but inducing anxiety and distraction for human beings.
Now, we find ourselves at a critical moment. We observe a group of designers who create aesthetic designs with calm colours and shapes.
We named them the Responsible Designers Movement and invited designers worldwide to participate actively.
Responsible Designers Movement
France 2023
We are fostering specialised and theoretical discussions, defining criteria and values, and conducting focused surveys to cultivate a community of designers dedicated to responsible design practices.
We present a visual compilation of design work that adheres to responsible design principles through mediums such as books, exhibitions, websites, and social networks. This encompasses diverse designs, including brand, interior architecture, product design, and user interfaces.
In the near future, extensive surveys among movement members will be conducted to assess the design and aesthetics of renowned brands and designs, contributing to the ongoing evaluation of responsible design standards.
Organizing design seminars and webinars to facilitate knowledge exchange and skill development among designers. These events provide a platform for experts to share insights on responsible design practices, fostering continuous learning within the design community.
Engaging members actively in the definition of responsible design principles, encouraging a collective effort to shape and refine the criteria that guide ethical and responsible design. This participatory approach ensures that the movement's values are shaped collaboratively, reflecting the diverse perspectives and expertise of its members.
Establishing partnerships and collaborations with businesses to integrate responsible design into their practices. By forging connections with designers and businesses, the movement seeks to influence the broader design ecosystem and promote ethical and sustainable design choices.
A primary objective of this movement is to reduce class divides and promote unity through empathetic design. We advocate for responsible design that avoids widening the gaps between different economic classes within society.
Another aim of the movement is to enhance aesthetically rich designs. Our surroundings are saturated with commercial, industrial, and digitized aesthetics, resulting in a superficial and diminished life. The movement strives to reintroduce depth and richness into the form and colour of our daily existence.
Designers have catered to the preferences of businesses and entrepreneurs, aligning designs with their tastes. This movement endeavours to amplify the influence and authority of designers, advocating for a shift towards shaping the world based on the opinions and discernment of trained tastes.