• In an interconnected world, what are the limitations of design when cultural, political, economic biological and environmental systems are increasingly open?
A designer's job becomes increasingly harder as different systems become increasingly open. It is hard to try and address one issue without referring to or making a connection to something else which you may not want to. All these systems are beginning to overlap and being able to target specific audiences becomes harder.
• Does new media present the “new” direction for design? Describe how new media does or does not present “new “ directions in design and provide an examples (links or screen grabs) to support your assertion.
The "new" direction for design, as it states in the reading, "might have less to do with anything visual than with how design is produced and who it is produced by." It seems as if we are running out of ideas for good design, and so instead of design being based on what it looks like, it is now more about who made it, how famous they are and how the reader/viewer is supposed to experience it. For example, take Yugo Nakamura (yugop) his work is far from the epitome of beautiful and modern design. It has become popular because of him and because of the way that the user interacts with his designs.
• Is it time for designers to reintegrate disparate fields in order to consider new directions in design? Give examples (with links or screen grabs) of some new ways that design might be considered. These do not have to be existing ways, just ways that might yield some new and interesting results.
I think the comic book field of design is one that's going to be around for a long time. It is reusable over and over, because you can't change the style much and keep the original feel. Take the new Watchmen movie (watchmen), it is reusing the old 50's comic book style but using it in a new modern 2009 way. It seems that as long you change it a little and give it a slightly new meaning, you can have a whole new design.
• What is the next “big thing in design”? Why do you think so and based on what criteria? Provide examples to support your assertion.
I am going to agree with the reading which states that "The world wide web is often hailed as the next big thing in graphic design." The world wide web has been a huge success and opened up a whole new world of design. The next step appears to be touch screens and with the unveiling of new touch screen computers this will lead way to the need for new computer designs that work the best with the touch screen capabilities. (HP touchsmart PC)
