Key Ideas is a series of events organised by the Design Area specifically for Camberwell College of Arts design students.

The Key Ideas 2011/2012 series of talks and workshops intends to investigate a range of aspects that inform how we consume, use and discard today.

Key Ideas 4: (You) Consume – 9 November 2011

The day aimed to examine an array of perspectives on consumption, design and how they relate to each other. The event also explored fresh notions of how design can be instrumental in proposing less conventional routes for more sustainable modes of consumption.

“Consumption may be regarded as negative production.” – Alfred Marshall, Economist.

In very simple terms it is conventionally accepted that the economic success of organisations, markets and countries is based on scales of growth. As a short term solution this may seem okay, but isn’t it an unsustainable approach to growth and consumption that is leading us to major global concerns? Can we really expect to spend our way out of a crisis and somehow magically create a post-crisis economy that is sustainable?

If the current western financial crisis was partly caused by the belief that organisations and economies must grow through the stimulation of over-consumption of things we can’t afford through easy credit, the environmental crisis is being caused by the over-consumption of natural resources and the health crisis is being caused by the over-consumption of foods we shouldn’t eat, then it probably indicates a bit of a problem with endless consumption.

Speakers:

• Dr Sansi-Roca – Senior Lecturer in Anthropology, Goldsmiths.
• Dr Neil Maycroft – Senior Lecturer in History of Art & Design, Lincoln School of Art & Design
• Laurent Lebot and Victor Massip – Faltazi

Guided by the talks, the morning was followed by discussions and a practical workshop. The aim of the day was to create an intellectual platform for students, creative practitioners and thinkers to cultivate a long lasting discussion on the current design landscape, its responsibility and opportunities.

Take a look at the Design Area Key Ideas Blog.