December 20, 2009

Design Consciousness, Kansei and the Tao part 3

 
3. Results and Discussions



There are five laws that govern design thinking. These laws are based upon the principle that reality should be described and perceived as a series of design (symbolic) events, situations and experiences we encounter both in our waking and sleeping states. The five laws that govern design thinking are:

First, the fact that everything has two opposing aspects present in every situation; forces that basically struggle with and attempt to control the other. Purpose (Chisei) has a meaning and meaning (Kansei) also has a purpose. A situation may be very meaningful in a purposeful way and visa versa, yet each can appear to want to overcome the other for its own purposes. Human mind is in constant struggle with the emotions, especially when we know that the right thing to do is in conflict with what we also know is true in our hearts. It is a struggle inherent to every situation.

Second, the fact that meaning and purpose can help define each other and in essence, cannot actually exist without the other. Meaning (Kansei) has no meaning if there is no purpose (Chisei), nor does purpose have a purpose without meaning. Each aspect is dependent upon the other for its own identity. When contemplating upon these observations it becomes more and more apparent just how active and energetic the design process is as it perpetuates change and revitalizes our concept of reality with each and every relationship and situation we encounter. The human mind cannot function without an emotional counterpart qualifying our each and every thought.

Third, both meaning and purpose will often nurture and nourish the other. For example, the meaning (Kansei) in support of a particular purpose (Chisei) can bring great support to its struggle. Meaning and purpose give of each other in order to nourish each other. The mind feeds our emotions, while our emotions constantly offer food for thought.

Fourth, both meaning and purpose can transform and become the other. Over time we may begin to better recognize this kinship as mind follows the flow of thought making its transition between the realities of meaning and purpose. All of a sudden what was once meaningful now becomes purposeful and what once had purpose now has meaning. Our emotions (Kansei) can often lead us into some very thoughtful pursuits, as well as the mind (Chisei) bringing to our awareness some very meaningful emotions. Through design and its symbolic influences, meaning and purpose can often become the other.

The fifth point illustrates that there is a little meaning in every purpose and a little purpose in every meaning. This relationship is symbolically demonstrated in each and every form. Meaning and purpose can be subdivided ad infinitum into every form seen or unseen that constitutes the universe. Humanly speaking our mind (Chisei), in conjunction with our emotions (Kansei) has the capacity to create forms and situations that are limited only by the constraints we impose upon our imagination.

What we actually create for ourselves are designed "situations" [7]. Specifically, we respond to each experience with our most appropriate thoughts and emotions packaged into symbolic forms or symbolic responses that best accommodate the situation at hand. As designers we are symbol makers in our own right. Together and in response to the energies expressed in the Tao, we each to bring into manifestation our own concept of reality.

Design is also concerned with maintaining a balance between the qualities of meaning (Kansei) and purpose (Chisei) in the situations we encounter. Life’s forces move naturally towards balance and are based upon the dynamic relationships created between yin and yang. Design too is always adjusting to the shifting flow of the Tao by describing the process through symbolic means, which appear as events that emerge before our consciousness as change.


"The true human holds the power of creation, the poetry of yin and yang, the talisman of life and death and the amulet which holds the essence of life"[8].
Lui I Ming

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