TAG ThIS

WhATs your design?

design is All ABouT creATing enhAnced quAliTy of life

Ever

since I arrived in Doha from New York City, 16 months ago, I have been attempting to explain to both nationals and expats what Ive been doing professionally, with much enthusiasm, for the past 20 years, and how it can contribute to the growth of local infrastructure, products and services. In the majority of the attempts, with my new friends and neighbours, I am painfully stuck at getting my point across, despite having two design degrees and having been lecturer for over 15 years. That said, Im a sharp-tongued person who utilises her communication skills as well as a prep cook wields a paring knife. Lecturing and presenting ideas that are new and different to most people is a huge component of the design profession. Suffice to say, I snidely thought Before Doha (BD) I could explain everything to everyone. Looking back, it was a teaching moment for me, when I realised, like Afrikaans, design culture is a foreign language to most of the world, outside a small narrowly educated elite. Its belonging to a cult of nerdy enthusiasts and practitioners (ever hear of Steve Jobs from Apple?) And even within the design profession there are class distinctions. So, this is how I found out, I belong to a small world of over-educated people, and an even smaller world of cultural elitists. #Fail, as they say on Twitter. Because, Design means too many things to too many people. Case in point: The first design event I was invited to in Doha consisted of a group of Australian housewives who were earnestly crocheting wool cupcakes with elaborate flowers on top. Though, fresh off the boat from NY (so they say) I was grateful for the invitation, their company and kindness, I quickly realised that my

definition of design was not in their vernacular. Methinks, design for the home as leather and chrome sofas, mirrored lighting fixtures, and blonde wood consoles. To these ladies, knitted tea cozies, overstuffed wing chairs, big mushy down comforters, were their comfort zone. Literally. Undeterred, the next time I went to a design event in the Gulf, I was invited to a ladies-only fashion show. On this occasion, I was excited to see my Arab sisters, heads uncovered, pumped by the designs that walked down the runway, whooping and whistling for the different designer looks like Bronx Girls at a NY Yankees Baseball Game. Design is the products/services/ environments/ecosystems we surround ourselves with. Our design personalities are defined by what we consciously choose to wear, the tool we write with, the sheets we sleep on. Are you a spunky type that likes a modern look, or a down to earth pessimist who wears all black? That, my dears is your design choice. If the definition of design is a conscientious action that enhances the quality of life can be made aware to every man, woman and childs understanding, we can be receptive enough to allow for new ideas on wellbeing to be part of the fabric of our city. Why wouldnt we want to limit obesity and ill health issues by allocating safe bike lanes linking critical areas of the city, or create new jobs for newbie farmers to raise safe and non-irradiated local food? The payoff is enormous in terms of the community it creates. Hugely, each individuals well-being is enhanced by developing these ecosystems within Doha. No matter what their income bracket and their personal taste Isnt design about creating enhanced quality of life, after all?

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By laurene leon boym boym is a partner in the doha/new york city based design studio, boym partners.
boym partners brings a critical, experimental approach to a range of products that infuse humour and wit into the everyday. frequently drawing from american iconography, the studio creates a variety of products and environments for an international roster of companies, including alessi, swatch, flos and vitra. the studio also creates their own boym editions, sought after by many art and design collectors around the world. laurene has taught at parsons,the new school for design and the school of visual arts. boym partners work is included the permanent collections of many museums, including the museum of modern art.she will write a regular column on design for Qatar today

69 QATAR TODAy
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october 2011

october 2011

QATAR TODAy 69
9/28/11 7:33:00 PM