To solve the diverse and complex problems of society left over from the 20th century, we need a new method of education and research in design studies that can create innovation by exploring these factors, social needs, and clues to solutions from a multifaceted standpoint. As society’s role and expectations for design are increasing, it is necessary to reconstruct the concept and methodology of design education and research.
The establishment of the SD Course is a new challenge in this transition period from tradition to innovation, contributing to various social issues, such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the field of design, and gaining insight into future changes from the current state of society. By thinking about the essence of issues in life, and utilizing the power of design to integrate and approach multifaceted perspectives in the creative process, we aim to cultivate innovative talent capable of achieving both feasibility and sustainability.
ZHANG Yanfang
- Universal Design
- Social Design
My specialty is universal design/social design. As with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), the basic philosophy of universal design is to aim for a world where ” No one will be left behind ” and to propose solutions to the various issues of the SDGs by using the power of design while respecting the diverse values of all people. Our research activities are aimed at giving back to society the results of these efforts and realizing a happy and prosperous society for all humankind. Specifically, since 2016, through the Design for SDGs/Global Goals Jam workshops, we have been building partnerships with a wide range of organizations, including governments, universities, businesses, NPOs, and local residents, to create design workshops that propose solutions to local issues, and aim to implement the results in society. I am also engaged in research activities on processes and visualization tools for SDG education activities that utilize the power of design. Through the accumulation of such practical examples, I am exploring more universal knowledge on how to utilize design thinking from various fields.