From the curators

We all use data on a daily basis. This happens when we use a mobile phone, check directions to a particular destination or look for a recipe for tomato soup. We often do not even realize that in such situations we use and produce data, as well as interact with solutions based on artificial intelligence. In practice, we leave many digital traces.

We all experience emotions every day. What is characteristic of emotions is that they come and go and differ in intensity. They may be positive or negative. Sometimes it is the joy of meeting friends, sometimes it is anger when a car breaks down on the way to an important meeting or shame after telling a little lie. There are emotions that we recognize and are aware of, and those which are experienced unconsciously.

Two seemingly distant concepts – data and emotions – have surprisingly much in common. There is a subtle link between them, namely design, or more precisely the sensitivity and imagination of designers, who incorporate into their toolkit the knowledge and skills of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence specialists for the benefit of people and their needs.

ABOUT GDYNIA DESIGN DAYS

Gdynia Design Days (GDD) is a top Baltic design festival. Each edition of GDD serves as a pretext to discuss topics related to broadly-understood design in the context of changes taking place around us. The exhibitions, workshops, lectures and debates we offer concern topical subjects in the field of technology, process design, ecology, design, fashion, architecture, urban development and craft. Through what we do, we connect the design world with the world of business. Gdynia Design Days is an event addressed to professionals and to everyone who is fascinated by design and interested in finding out more about the changes taking place in dynamically developing societies.

Data-driven design Manifesto

We would like to propose principles to help designers create data-inspired or data-based services or products. We want to initiate a discussion on the ethical, responsible and creative use of data in design.

Do you agree with the proposed principles of data-driven design? Vote! The survey is available here.

Data are a new design material Data make designers more effective

They offer a new perspective on reality. New solutions, products or services are based on reliable information. The form can follow data.

Data is about people, their behavior and knowledge

Design contributes to the humanization of data. Designers are able to combine large and small data pools. Data enables designers to learn about the scale of phenomena which constitute the context of their work. They remember that e.g. numbers are symbols which usually refer to humans.

Technology is a partner in the design process

Designers are open to cooperation with new technologies and the notion of things that can design things. They cooperate with artificial intelligence, which has the potential to solve problems. They actively learn the possible applications of sensors, digital networks, algorithms as well as methods and techniques of artificial intelligence. Mastering new tools, they expand their design capabilities.

Privacy and data protection are a priority

Designers create solutions that do not harm anyone, respect the right to privacy. They help in designing decision-making processes related to data collection and processing. They take responsibility for providing data-based solutions. They are trustworthy, ethical and important for people and environment.

Design decisions are based on ethical codes

Data are used only in good faith, never to manipulate human behavior. When making design decisions based on data, designers are aware of their motivation and follow ethical rules. They are able to create scenarios for a data-based solution in different time perspectives, e.g. one, five or ten years.

Verification of data before their application

Designers use critical thinking to question and challenge data. In this way data are tested and verified. Designers are able to access information sources and share data.

Data are used creatively

Designers are discovering new applications for data. They are wondering what will come up at the intersection of design and new technologies. They habituate people to data: what seems unfriendly at first, becomes accessible and close. Data are a new source of inspiration and means of expression.

Development of skills necessary to understand data

Designers develop analytical skills necessary to understand data, such as basic statistics, probability calculation, reading of data processing diagrams.

New directions which are confirmed by data

Data enable posing research questions and indicate areas that require project intervention. Designers follow these guidelines.

Data collection and processing as a design problem

Designers pay attention to the threats and opportunities related to data. They communicate these issues through art and proposed solutions.