Submissive Design

Everyday Urbanism is a submissive approach to designing the environment and becomes a safety net for the future of design.

According to the text, the City is a social product constructed out of the everyday life taking place within it. When Everyday Urbanism tells us to design to the patterns that society ‘naturally’ (or unnaturally…capitalist monsters?) defines is essentially telling us to cower to the people (or corporations) that do control the everyday life.

What if we went a level above, and actually understood not only what people do, but why people do what they do? With this approach we can potentially begin to influence the mundane ‘everyday’ life. It gives designers a seat at the table and bestows us a power of influence over society…we really do know what’s best. I say we stop submitting to the accepted ways of a mindless society (a society that will follow a pattern like a herd of sheep) and attempt implement design that can show people another, more interesting, everyday life. The environment we create does have the power to influence and possibly enhance the life of the everydayers, without necessarily complying to their current zombie-like tendencies. Can we redefine the patterns? ...a utopia could still within reach.

Lastly, it's interesting to wonder if people really are happy with everyday life? Think about the tone used when we say “I have to work” or “I need to run some errands”. We accept it because we don't know any other way. . So, why should we as designers remain complacent with societies reaction to everyday life? Perhaps it has become a safety net for Everyday Urbanists. They are playing into the trap in which society finds itself. At least these designers will never be out of a job, it’s hard to refute a design solution/proposal that people think they want.