Design Article Design for Impact: From the Aesthetics of Appearance to the Aesthetics of Care
Design Article Design for Impact: From the Aesthetics of Appearance to the Aesthetics of Care
This proposal, confronts a central challenge of modern urban life: the drift into an unthinking, anonymous existence. In the rhythm of our consumption habits, and our navigation of public spaces, we often act as “one does,” guided by invisible norms and generic designs (Das Man). This passive state erodes our connection to our community, our environment, and our own capacity for meaningful action.
Drawing inspiration from Katia Mandoki’s profound work on the “aesthetics of everyday life,” we argue that aesthetics is not confined to galleries or haute couture; it is woven into the very fabric of our daily existence (aisthesis—the capacity for sensibility). Our proposal leverages this “prosaic aesthetics” as a tool for social impact. We propose a Design Article to interrupt the trance of Das Man and awaken a sense of Sorge (Care). The impact is a shift in consciousness—from what looks good to what does good.
About the Host
Francisco Platas Lopez
Francisco Platas López is a Professor of Design at the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMéx) and an Associate Professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), a Master of Design (M.Des.), and a Doctorate in Design (D.Des.).
Dr. Platas is a member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers and an International Scholar with the Society for the History of Technology. In 2020, he served as a Design Facilitator for the Generation Equality Asia Pacific Design Challenge, a joint initiative between UN Women Asia and the Pacific and the World Design Organization (WDO).
His current research focuses on the aesthetics of everyday life, the history of infrastructure, and complex design methodologies for vulnerability and risk.
