ISD Seminar: de-DESIGNING DESIGN

Speaker: Mr. Brian Lau
Principal Designer
Mad Studios

Abstract

Design has long been imbricated with Economics, much of Design being influenced by economic principles and objectives. Understanding that Design is a major shaping force of the man-made world, we must then also acknowledge that Economics shapes Design. As such, the consequences of our world-shaping is incumbent on both.

One such consequence is the environmental degradation of the world. What were once natural ecologies have now become artificial and this artificial now constrains and challenges its very own survival.

This presentation posits a possible shift of Design’s impetus towards a more ecological stance vis-a-vis a refocusing of Economics. Drawing on ideas from Circular Economics, Ecological Economics and Bioeconomics, Design can be de-Designed such that it is not merely world-shaping but also world-futuring.

About the Speaker

Brian has been in the design profession for over 20 years, establishing an award winning studio which has worked with organisations from around the world and has won more than 100 international design awards.

At an early age, he trained in Singapore under renowned Asian artists Liu Kang and Kam Kee Yong and at the Singapore Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He has a Bachelors of Arts in Fine Arts (and Economics) from the University of Toronto, a Masters of Arts in Design from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a Masters of Information in Knowledge Media Design from the Knowledge Media Design Institute of the University of Toronto.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (United Kingdom), a Certified Design Professional of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, a professional member of the International Association of Designers (Europe), the Hong Kong Designers Association and the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong. 

While working in design, Brian has kept in touch with his artistic roots, producing large scale paintings, has had gallery representation and has been involved in collaborations with various artists. Brian is also a passionate ‘musician’ playing the guitar in numerous bands and his bands have recorded several CDs.

Because of his diverse background and his many interests and passions, Brian has developed a cross-cultural-multi-disciplinary sensibility in his art and design.

All are welcome.