Unfortunately my headline is true. We live in a world crowded by bad design. Of course, within certain limits, everyone is free to produce and sell whatever they like, and boy, they certainly do. The bad design can be seen in everything from small products to urban architecture. It pollutes our life, both when it’s around us and when it is thrown away. Sometimes you wonder if the manufacturers don’t for a minute think about the mountains of trash they are contributing to.

In Singapore 10Touchpoints is trying to make a difference. They are working for better design and better living. They see the parking coupon, the seat at the hawker centre or the playground near your block as touchpoints. And well-designed touchpoints close the gap between what people want and need. 10Touchpoints has a nice description on what good design is according to them:

“Good design puts people in the centre of the design process. It incorporates systems thinking, technology, historical and contextual relevance. It is economically viable. It is informed by ethics and responsibility without impeding social and technical innovation. It is beautiful.

Good design brings various values such as sustainability, accessibility, usability and beauty to public spaces like our schools, hospitals, food places, and parks.”

The project 10Touchpoints is launched by the Design Singapore Council and it has enlisted people in identifying things in their everyday public space that are irritating because of poor design.

Susan Abbott at Customer experience crossroads picks out the following lines from the call:

“10Touchpoints seeks to demystify design. Not just about relative coolness and high prices, or what you see on the glossy pages for the hip and rich. Design makes up what is around you. Design is about the relationships people forge with things. Design is thus something we value as it has an effect on how we get to work, better communicate and the energy we save.”

Who could argue with that?

Thanks to Putting people first.

Ping Intressant.se

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