Design is inherently optimistic. That is its power.
William McdonoughRead
Here's where redesign begins in earnest, where we stop trying to be less bad and we start figuring out how to be good.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the shift from merely trying to improve and reduce harm to actively seeking positive and good solutions.
William McDonough's quote highlights a transformative approach in design and innovation. Rather than just aiming to minimize negative impacts, it calls for a proactive mindset where individuals and organizations seek to create beneficial and sustainable outcomes. This represents a significant paradigm shift toward more ethical and constructive practices in various fields, indicating that true redesign involves a commitment to positive change rather than just harm reduction.
Themes
DesignSustainabilityImprovementPositive ChangeInnovation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about environmental responsibility, one might quote McDonough to inspire others to shift their focus towards positive impact.
More from William Mcdonough
All quotes βWe are proposing buildings that, like trees, are net energy exporters, produce more energy than they consume, accrue and store solar energy, and purify their own waste, water and release it slowly in a purer form.
William McdonoughRead
Designing renders visible our hopes and dreams. It is the first signal of human intentions.
William McdonoughRead
If we think about things having multiple lives, cradle to cradle, we could design things that can go back to either nature or back to industry forever.
William McdonoughRead
I think as designers we realize design is a signal of intention, but it also has to occur within a world and we have to understand that world in order to imbue our designs with inherent intelligence.
William McdonoughRead
Designers are inherently optimistic people who try to make the world a better place
William McdonoughRead
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