Speaker

Dan Buchner

 



ABSTRACT:

Resolving Truly Big Problems:
Impacting Global Issues by Design

Design has accomplished a lot through the creation of products that improve people’s lives. But some of the world’s most significant problems can’t be solved with products alone, no matter how well designed they may be. Poverty, corruption, ignorance, political instability, disease, and unemployment plague most of the world inhabitants. The solutions to these issues require changing people’s beliefs, motivations and behaviors on the grand scale of societal change. While there are many NGO’s, foundations and government programs active in addressing such challenges, there also lays a powerful and meaningful role for design.

What does it take to work around the limitations of infrastructure?
How do we shape outcomes without the infusion of technology?
Where do we turn to when material resources are scarce?

The time has come for designers to turn their talents and attention to solving the world’s real problems. This talk will highlight lessons from Dan’s recent work in developing nations like South Africa, El Salvador and India. It will demonstrate how design research processes impact global issues to yield results, thereby improving the lives of many through the application of simple ideas.

BIO:


If there’s one thing Dan Buchner knows, it’s how design can help a business succeed. He has started a successful company, run large manufacturing plants, led product development and industrial design for large corporations and conducted design research in far-flung corners of the globe. As Vice President of Innovation and Design at Continuum, Dan manages innovation projects for leading brands worldwide. He strongly believes in the power of design to affect positive change in the world. Dan’s recent work has involved using design as an economic and social development tool in emerging markets such as South Africa, El Salvador, and India.

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