It started with Slow Food; now those who would make a plea for a slower, more meditative pace of life are going global with their new beta site Slow Planet. The site has four main subdivisions, of which Slow Food is not one; instead, there is Slow Travel, Slow Sport, Slow Work, and (obviously the one I'm most interested in) Slow Design.
I understand the others - but Slow Sport? What? I don't think it really fits. Rushed travel, rushed work, rushed design - I understand why these can be argued against... but rushing around playing sport? Why not? If you prefer yoga, then by all means. But why favour one over the other?
Anyway.
This is from the core77 blog entry on the topic:
They've got some interesting things to say about design, notably a framework of six principles for slow design from their friends at the SlowLab:
1. Reveal: Slow design reveals spaces and experiences in everyday life that are often missed or forgotten, including the materials and processes that can easily be overlooked in an artifacts existence or creation.
2. Expand: Slow design considers the real and potential 'expressions' of artifacts and environments beyond their perceived functionality, physical attributes and lifespans.
3. Reflect: Slowly-designed artifacts and environments induce contemplation
and 'reflective consumption.'
4. Engage: Slow design processes are 'open source' and collaborative, relying on sharing, co-operation and transparency of information so that designs may continue to evolve into the future.
5. Participate: Slow design encourages users to become active participants in the design process, embracing ideas of conviviality and exchange to foster social accountability and enhance communities.
6. Evolve: Slow design recognizes that richer experiences can emerge from the dynamic maturation of artifacts and environments over time. Looking beyond the needs and circumstances of the present day, slow design processes and outcomes become agents of positive change.
