Remote ideation

Major changes have taken place in design practices in recent decades strongly impacted by technology, including digital communication. Positively, this means that designers can work from almost anywhere they choose. But there can be drawbacks with too much freedom of organising and carrying out ones's work with full flexibility as to space and time. For example, social isolation and loneliness may ensue with technology-based remote working as many aspects of design relate to the physical world with its many sensuous qualities, including human interaction. Traditions from working in the studio, however, are no longer the necessary default setting for designers as AI systems combined with CAD and 3D printing provide for mobility and remote working, from ideation to prototyping. Yet most designers feel the need for physical and ambient work spaces not just for work-related discussions but for spontaneous meetings and small-talk that provide both social and emotional connections. After all, digital communication, however convenient and efficient is lacking built-in social breaks. Indeed, to stay motivated and productive, designers want social face-to-face connections. Studio observations, moreover, and both in education and professional practice show that person-to-person interactions foster and enhance creativity and collaborative work as well as giving designers a sense of belonging to team or community. Text inspired by https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/digital-world-real-world/202512/remote-working-and-loneliness?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-gb