Conditional Design
“an approach that reflects the tendencies of our contemporary society - under the influence of the media and rapid technological developments, our world, our lives and the way we interact with each other are increasingly characterized by speed and in a state of constant flux.”
— Stroom Den Haag
We read the Conditional Design Manifesto in our theory class, but the manifesto itself never really defined conditional design in a way that I could understand. So in a way, I came up with my own definition based on feedback I’ve received this semester and what I know of my own practice. To me, conditional design is setting conditions or constraints to work within, no matter how useful or arbitrary. These conditions can set expectations for me and actually allow myself to be more creative instead of being stuck in a place where I don’t know what to do. I had a professor in undergrad who talked about thinking inside the box rather than outside of it. By this, she meant to use what you have to create something, rather than thinking you can go absolutely anywhere with no restrictions with an idea. Thinking inside the box and designing with conditions help me to know where to start, which can often be the hardest part of a project for me.