It’s not long now. On December 7 the world dives into the media tide of COP15 in Copenhagen, as global leaders wrestle and weigh-up growth versus sustainability.

For us here at ADU it’s an ongoing preoccupation – considering the many roles that design and creativity can take in shaping the future. With such a vast, technology-induced issue looming before us, it’s not surprising that the mainstream expects the key climate solutions to be technological ones. However let’s not overlook how much social issues and behaviors will define the future.

Alongside new technology we need new social solutions. We may even rediscover that some ‘old’ systems can be upgraded for tomorrow – Slow Food for example, and the resurgence of the handmade through grassroots ‘cottage industry’ networks. So where does that all leave designers?

Designers are uniquely trained to assess and respond to complex problems focused on the needs of the end user. Traditionally designers react by applying new knowledge and technology to the design of better products and places. Noble as that might be, can we really buy and build ourselves out of the mess we’re in?

If new social systems, which enable behavioral change, are as important as new technologies for tomorrow, designers should think quickly about applying design thinking in this direction. What is rapidly emerging is other less mainstream (did we say corporate?) paths worth exploring, some just as lucrative as those defining future technologies.

Exploring the theme of creative entrepreneurship is the focus of ADU. In this issue we focus on the role of design in social innovation, commencing a series of features that explore ideas and actions within the rapidly growing social innovation sector.

Creative entrepreneurs can play a vital role here, with the capacity to integrate traditional design with the necessary social drivers, networks, and communications platforms to enable social innovation.

Designers are placed to be at the vanguard – designing innovative new business models with inherent benefits. This is the entrepreneurship we now need, enabling change and creating pluralist opportunities. An open mind is where it all begins.

Ewan McEoin & Heidi Dokulil

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