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The world of design and the design of the world?

Is design as important in Third World countries as First World countries?

  • The importance of design is beginning to get more attention in developed countries but is it as important in developing countries? Do companies in Third World countries need as strong a branding identity to succeed? Does good design go as far in these situations? Any cases where companies became successful in spite of poor design in these countries?

  • Answer:

    This is in fact two separate issues. Is design, currently, important in developing countries? The answer would be no. As far as *most* local projects go, design is mostly seen as a luxury item. This has traditionally been the case, where cost has been almost always been favoured over design. This, however, is not absolute, and there's a growing trend of design culture growing just as developing economies grow. Should design be important in developing countries? Absolutely, for several reasons. But it is not currently the case, though we're starting to see much more of it. This is all based in my experience mostly in Latin American countries, though, so YMMV.

Eduardo Marisca at Quora Visit the source

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In Africa there's a great culture of DIY design. Independent entrepreneurs and tinkerers using recycled and other available materials to create all kinds of things. Check out http://www.afrigadget.com/

Kevin Buist

Design is especially important in third- and fourth-world countries because, although there are fewer companies, design can easily set them apart and also connect with the cultural backgrounds of the consumers. There is also the notion of universal design, the purpose of which is to serve the under-estimated bottom of the pyramid in these countries.

Erica McNally

I would rather let someone reply, who is far more knowledgeable about this topic than me: Gui Bonsiepe. You might want to read his interview [http://guibonsiepe.com.ar/guiblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/interview2_2003.zip%5D about ‘Peripheral Design’.

Sascha Brossmann

In this context, I would define design as making product or business decisions in the face of established constraints. Therefore, in the developing world, the cost constraint that many have sited is direct factor in the design of a product or business strategy. For example, this constraint has shaped design principles in India, spurring the growth of "Indovation", or innovation from a distincly Indian perspective. For more on this, read here: http://www.good.is/post/indovation-why-india-is-the-perfect-testing-ground-for-huge-breakthroughs/

Michael Stenclik

If design is a factor in sustainability or cheaper extraction of [whatever the product provides or fulfills] then absolutely.

Pawel Janiak

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