The only important

thing about design is

how it relates to people

Victor Papanek
(1923-1998)

A designer who believed that design was a political tool that could permanently change our thinking and our everyday life
It sounds like the story of today

He envisaged the long term effect of design on resources, tools and human lives
Papanek’s idea of design

Design Means Responsibility - Why don't designers consider little people when designing?
Design Means Responsibility

Papanek did not understand design merely as the design of products

 His ecological concern & ergonomics of design

Do I really need this? What happens after an object has been used? Where does the money come from that we want to save the world with?
His Design thoughts

A tin can radio designed by Papanek that was cheap and was made keeping in mind the developing countries in the third world
His Book - Design for the Real World
Human Ecology and Social Change (1970)

Design for the Real World starts the preface - There are professions more harmful than industrial design, but only a very few of them
Other Books to his credit

• Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change
• How to Build & Where to Buy Lightweight Furniture
That Folds, Collapses, Stacks, Knocks-Down, Inflates or Can be Thrown
Away & Re-Cycled
• Nomadic Furniture
• How Things Don't Work
• Design for Human Scale
• The Green Imperative: Natural Design for the Real World

“I have tried to demonstrate that by freely giving 10 percent of his time, talents, and skills the designer can help”
The Politics of Design - Vitra Design Museum exhibition

The Third World - ecology, sustainability and making culture – creation and production using one’s own resources
The Politics of Design - A glimpse of the Vitra Design Museum exhibition
Victor Papanek – The champion of ecologically sound design and
designs to serve the poor

He travelled around the world & gave lectures on ecologically design to serve the poor, disabled, elderly & other minorities of society
Award & Accolades

He received numerous awards –Designer fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, the IKEA Foundation International Award.
A vision that is still relevant today
What's your Take-Away for today?