Warning: Vague concepts approaching. Those whose hearts favor more concrete design observations may be at risk of losing their sanity reading this post. Proceed with caution.

Defining the Design Matrix is a bit like peeling an onion. You start by removing the visible outer layers, progressing deeper and deeper into the core of the onion until at last, there is no onion left to peel. At this point you might conclude there was actually no onion at all, but your watery eyes and discarded layers speak otherwise. So it is with understanding the Design Matrix we currently create within. After we’re done peeling, I hope you’re not left empty handed (or empty headed for that matter). Let’s begin.

You don’t need to be Steven Heller to spot the outer layer of the Design Matrix. The outer layer is visible everywhere. It consists of these well worn concepts: design versus art, business, corporate, mediocrity, do-it-yourselfers, low-ballers, the uneducated, the system, etc. It is design versus whatever is out there separate from design. This outermost Design Matrix layer is embodied in SpeakUp, Brand New, HOW, Print and a host of other avatars. The key to identifying this outermost layer is that design is a...... Keep reading