Personal Design Philosophy

Design Philosophy can be described as the goal behind someone and or a team when it comes to designing. “A designer’s philosophy defines what they wish to accomplish in design, and which principles of design they will use to do so.” (Costa, 2023). These tools help designers make many design choices. You don’t even know when you are using design philosophy, it just comes naturally.  My goal is to make people of all kinds feel included in a space. This goes for the handicapped, the blind community, and more. I will always make design choices that help these communities.

 

My Why Design?

At a very young age, I have always felt great affection for people with special needs. I have always wanted to help this community, but I never knew how. I thought maybe I would become a teacher, but I knew deep down that it was not my calling. After working in a non-profit special needs school, I personally saw the importance of accessibility. I watched the kids on the playground running around while the kids in wheelchairs watched. I knew there had to be something done about this. I wanted to be the change.

                                                                           

                (Photo one: showing how kids with special needs need accessible spaces. Personal Photo.)  

Function and Aesthetics:

    While my own understanding of design philosophy is growing, I have learned a few things. I have learned the importance of achieving function and producing aesthetically pleasing work. You cannot have an idea that is stronger in one area. If these two are not mutually met, then your ideas will not be realistic. For example, when doing a recent project, I had to create a space for a lady who is paralyzed. I wanted to put these beautiful French doors to the front of her house. These might be aesthetically pleasing, but they are not functional for her lifestyle. This shows the importance of balance when it comes to these two ideas. 

                                                                    

                                    (Photo two: Handicapped woman trying to open a door. (Ritson 2023)

Comfort: 

   As stated before, I want to design a space for people with special needs. The five senses are very important when it comes to designing a space for them. When all five of these senses are met in a pleasurable way, this creates comfort for them, creating positive emotions towards your space. If one of these is forgotten, or overlooked, this can create an imbalance in their emotions. For clients like this, their emotions are very strong and cannot be overlooked. Also, in this field comfort can look different for everyone. This needs to be kept in mind when designing for one person, and a whole group.  

As a future designer, I need to be able to correctly achieve these goals. If I cannot meet these, then my designs will fail. For example, If I create a space that is beautiful to look at, but it is not functional for a kid with Down syndrome to use then I have failed. But, when I can create a space that achieves both, these spaces can be used to their fullest potential.  

                             

             (Image three: This picture shows how designing for the handicapped does make a difference. Drew by me)

My future 

      One day, I hope to design spaces for people who access the world differently. I want to be able to create waiting rooms at doctors' offices, at airports, and more. To be able to design a playground that allows kids in wheelchairs to have fun. To let families who have kids with special needs fully feel supported in the designs all around them. I strongly believe that this is a field that people overlook. These people are not the majority so why worry about it? It should be a priority because everyone deserves to feel safe and to be able to use the space. My design philosophy will change, but I know my care for special needs kids will not.

Citations:

        Costa, R. (2017, November 10). 5 design philosophies to live and design by. Justinmind.                        https://www.justinmind.com/blog/5-design-philosophies-to-live-and-design-by/