Moniker, Conditional Design
Conditional Design is a way of thinking about design and a way of
approaching it in which the designer focuses on the process rather than
the final product. It is highly dependent on a series of rules and a
defined structure which allows a controlled freedom and effective
creativity. Also, it is a way of avoiding randomness and unwanted chaos.
Even though it has structure, there’s room for a lot of freedom.
I myself have experienced creative blockage due to very broad prompts or
very unstructured commands. Even a few rules give me a lot of direction
and control. Also, I believe rules in a way mark down the limits, and by
knowing them the designer knows to which point they can “break” them.
Something that I’ve also realized in my time as a designer is that the art
makes itself in the process. You have an idea, you make a plan, but only
during the process the work starts taking shape and actually starts to
become. That’s why the author claims “The work is to let go of absolute
control over the final product” in a way implying how there is no
“interference” of the artist in the process.
Qs:
Is it possible to create a structure for a project and make it work without
having a clear purpose from the beginning?
The author often discusses the topic of subjectivity. If a work has, as the
author claims, 'subjective intentions,' does this mean it will be harder for
the viewers to read it how the designer wanted them to read it?