Design's Invisible Century

The 20th century has been called the "invisible century" of science, with the ground-breaking discoveries of Einstein and Freud revolutionizing our understanding of particle phsyics and human psychology. The 21st century, argues Tom Fisher, is poised to become the invisible century of design, with designers playing ever more influential roles in the "seemingly invisible" sphere of "organizations and operations, policies and procedures, systems and infrastructures" — all of which, as Fisher points out, ultimately determine the health and prosperity of buildings, landscapes and cities.
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MIT

MIT Establishes Center for Art, Science and Technology

The School of Architecture and Planning is a partner in the new center, which will support cross-disciplinary courses, research and exhibitions, and a major, biennial international symposium on art, science and technology.

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JOSH SIDES

20 Years Later: The Ambiguous Legacies of the Los Angeles Riots

In March 1991 a bystander with a Sony Handycam videotaped a group of LAPD officers beating a motorist named Rodney King; a year later, when a suburban jury acquitted the police of charges of excessive force, South Central L.A. erupted in riots that lasted for days. Historian Josh Sides assesses the public and private efforts to repair the physical and psychic damage; 20 years later South Los Angeles has changed remarkably — though as Sides notes, some of the deepest changes have resulted less from official initiatives than from the "demographic dynamism" of the city.
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FROM OUR SPONSORS

This spring Sappi is hosting a national road show, in collaboration with 826 National, to launch Special Effects, Volume 5 of The Standard. Issue 5 shows designers how the creative use of special effects can make a printed piece dimensional, tactile, intriguing and sometimes interactive. The next event is April 26 in Atlanta.
More about Volume 5 of The Standard >>
View the road show schedule and registration details >>
Find out more about Sappi here >>

Eventually Everything: The 2012 D-Crit Conference, featuring graduating students of the SVA MFA in Design Criticism, and moderated by Change Observer co-editor Julie Lasky, will take place on May 2, 2012 at the Visual Arts Theatre in New York City.
The 2012 DCrit Conference >>
DCrit at SVA >>
SVA Website >>

AARON PALEY & AMANDA BERMAN

CicLAvia: Reimagining the Streets of Los Angeles

Can an ephemeral intervention inspire systemic change? Aaron Paley and Amanda Berman argue that the semi-annual CicLAvia — which bans car traffic from parts of Los Angeles — is prompting Angelenos to alter their mental maps and reimagine the urban future. As they write: "CicLAvia enables Angelenos to perceive the metropolis not in terms of time and aggravation — of the traffic-choked distance between freeway ramps — but instead in terms of spatial experience and free mobility."
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University of Minnesota, College of Design
The University of Minnesota’s College of Design is preparing the next generation of problem solvers. Through a unique commitment to sustainability, creativity and advancing technologies, the college is improving the way we interact with our world by designing new systems, new environments, new products, and new ways of living and working. Located in one of the major design cities and in one of the largest research universities in the U.S., the College of Design is a leader in multidisciplinary research, creative production, teaching and public engagement. The college encompasses the full range of design disciplines, including architecture, landscape architecture, apparel design, graphic design, interior design, product design, retail merchandising and housing studies.

RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED

American Glamour
Alice T. Friedman

Reading the American Landscape: An Index of Books and Images
Lex ter Braak, David Hamers, Anne Hoogewoning, Erik de Jong, Frank van der Salm, Dirk Sijmons and Hanneke Schreiber

Boomtown 2050: Scenarios for a Rapidly Growing City
Richard Weller


WEEKLY EMAIL: APRIL 24, 2012
FEATURED THIS WEEK : THOMAS FISHER Design's Invisible Century The 20th century has been called the "invisible century" of science, with the ground-breaking discoveries of Einstein and Freud revolutionizing our understanding of particle phsyics and human psychology. The 21st century, argues Tom Fisher, is poised to become the invisible century of design, with designers playing ever more influential roles in the "seemingly invisible" sphere of "organizations and operations, policies and procedures, systems and infrastructures" — all of which, as Fisher points out, ultimately determine the health and prosperity of buildings, landscapes and cities. READ MORE
MIT MIT Establishes Center for Art, Science and Technology The School of Architecture and Planning is a partner in the new center, which will support cross-disciplinary courses, research and exhibitions, and a major, biennial international symposium on art, science and technology. Read more READ MORE JOSH SIDES 20 Years Later: The Ambiguous Legacies of the Los Angeles Riots In March 1991 a bystander with a Sony Handycam videotaped a group of LAPD officers beating a motorist named Rodney King; a year later, when a suburban jury acquitted the police of charges of excessive force, South Central L.A. erupted in riots that lasted for days. Historian Josh Sides assesses the public and private efforts to repair the physical and psychic damage; 20 years later South Los Angeles has changed remarkably — though as Sides notes, some of the deepest changes have resulted less from official initiatives than from the "demographic dynamism" of the city. READ MORE FROM OUR SPONSORS This spring Sappi is hosting a national road show, in collaboration with 826 National, to launch Special Effects, Volume 5 of The Standard. Issue 5 shows designers how the creative use of special effects can make a printed piece dimensional, tactile, intriguing and sometimes interactive. The next event is April 26 in Atlanta. More about Volume 5 of The Standard >> View the road show schedule and registration details >> Find out more about Sappi here >> Eventually Everything: The 2012 D-Crit Conference, featuring graduating students of the SVA MFA in Design Criticism, and moderated by Change Observer co-editor Julie Lasky, will take place on May 2, 2012 at the Visual Arts Theatre in New York City. The 2012 DCrit Conference >> DCrit at SVA >> SVA Website >> AARON PALEY & AMANDA BERMAN CicLAvia: Reimagining the Streets of Los Angeles Can an ephemeral intervention inspire systemic change? Aaron Paley and Amanda Berman argue that the semi-annual CicLAvia — which bans car traffic from parts of Los Angeles — is prompting Angelenos to alter their mental maps and reimagine the urban future. As they write: "CicLAvia enables Angelenos to perceive the metropolis not in terms of time and aggravation — of the traffic-choked distance between freeway ramps — but instead in terms of spatial experience and free mobility." READ MORE		BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK \| FOLLOW US ON TWITTER Summer Intensive 2012 Apply today >> Meaningful work is creating impact. A positive future is taking shape. Submit your proposal >> An Annual Celebration of Excellence, Enterprise and Intent Register Now >> All kids deserve a shot at their American dream >> PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 2009 Reclaiming the Ruin READ MORE PARTNER SCHOOL University of Minnesota, College of Design The University of Minnesota’s College of Design is preparing the next generation of problem solvers. Through a unique commitment to sustainability, creativity and advancing technologies, the college is improving the way we interact with our world by designing new systems, new environments, new products, and new ways of living and working. Located in one of the major design cities and in one of the largest research universities in the U.S., the College of Design is a leader in multidisciplinary research, creative production, teaching and public engagement. The college encompasses the full range of design disciplines, including architecture, landscape architecture, apparel design, graphic design, interior design, product design, retail merchandising and housing studies. RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED American Glamour Alice T. Friedman Reading the American Landscape: An Index of Books and Images Lex ter Braak, David Hamers, Anne Hoogewoning, Erik de Jong, Frank van der Salm, Dirk Sijmons and Hanneke Schreiber Boomtown 2050: Scenarios for a Rapidly Growing City Richard Weller
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