take it slow, masticate a little

nyc intellectuals come through again (although I have yet to meet any here) with the concept of slow design - "slowLab’s programs actively address the ecological, socio-cultural and personal impacts of design".

"Fast food, media soundbytes, speedy information networks, rapid, global flows of goods and services, an over-saturated and ever-growing commercial landscape...... Daily life has become a cacophony of experiences that disable our senses, disconnect us from one another and damage the environment.

But deep experience of the world-- meaningful and revealing relationships with the people, places and things we interact with, and importantly, with our own inner selves-- requires many speeds of engagement, and especially the slower ones.

'slow design' is a holistic approach to design thinking, process and outcomes.
It envisions positive human and environmental impact of designed products, environments and systems, while constructively critiquing the processes and technologies of which they are born. It celebrates local, close-mesh networks of people and industry, it preserves and draws upon our cultural diversity, and it relies on the open sharing of ideas and information to arrive at innovative design solutions.

'slow design’ is not time-based. It doesn't refer to how long it takes to make something, but rather describes the designer's elevated state of awareness in the process of creation, the quality of its tangible outcomes and a richer experience for the end-user."