Weigh, count, balance.
Design is intention
»It is not possible to make detailed judgments by drawing beautiful sketches on paper or using CAD to create shapes.« Sori Yanagi
The terms >weigh<, >consider<, and >assign weight to< originally come from the fields of physics and commerce, but in a figurative sense, they have enormous relevance in today's society - especially when it comes to decisions, ethics, and evaluation.
In a world overflowing with information, relevant content must be distinguished from irrelevant content - weighted; considered in order to make complex decisions: socially, ecologically, politically, formally, conceptually, and strategically.
Which sources are trustworthy? Which values underpin a decision? Which activities are meaningful and sustainable? What provides long-term benefit? When is a compromise worthwhile? When is a clear stance necessary? The ability to think critically and act reflectively is key to achieving greater clarity, reducing susceptibility to manipulation, and avoiding arbitrariness.
Strategic, operational, cultural decision-making. And which of this can be applied to a specific product?
Design loops in the design process, in the decision-making and design process.
Weighing: Measuring an absolute mass or value. Data, numbers, and facts must be reliably recorded. Market analyses, customer behavior, production figures.
Prioritizing: Prioritizing or ranking information according to its importance or relevance. Not all factors have the same impact. Financial metrics, employee satisfaction, or sustainability - what gets priority?
Balancing: Comparing options, advantages, and disadvantages. Decision-makers must weigh different interests, risks, and opportunities, which features should the product have and at what price.
For informed decision-making, various methods are available, such as utility analysis, SWOT analysis, scenario planning, or the Pugh matrix.
Such procedures help to systematically compare and weigh options and to consciously consider them both in the briefing and in the design process. They help to select the most suitable solutions from many possibilities.
Design is intention.
