Interventions

Abstract

During a critical period in the 1960s there was a moment of introspective self-reflection in the West stemming from the events of the Cold War. This moment of uncertainty was crucial, for it provided the incentive to question the values and concerns of society as a whole. In turn, designers began to question their own sense of purpose, temporarily expanding the purview of design to a broader field of inquiry. In the case of individuals such as George Nelson, Charles Eames, and Ray Eames, they identified an overriding problem related to consumerism and excess in America and sought to resolve the issue by creating a network of communication between universities, governments, institutions, and corporations. The solution of promoting greater educational experiences as an alternative to consumerism in America required that different sectors of society functioned in unison to address political, social, economic, educational, and environmental concerns. The research to be presented reconsiders how design intersects with humanity, culture, and the sciences.