Thinking about the future in the face of great uncertainty, while striving for innovation is no easy task. And combining design creativity with science and technology for the benefit of people, communities, and the environment adds multiple layers of complexity. Making sense out of complexity and making it appear effortless – that’s what designers do. The projects in this collection are, in my opinion, those that proposed a viable alternative to meet a real need, and did this with simplicity, thoroughness, and commitment. Sometimes the need could be understood as extreme, as in the case of those suffering an illness or amputees. Other times, the need is basic and may seem even banal. Finding balance in the identification of the challenge, the approach, and the outcome contributed to the high quality results. What especially impressed me were the variety of approaches, the creative energy, the sensitivity to the challenge at hand, and the knowledge that design could make a positive difference.
Martha Thorne
