In the splendid setting of the Fundaciò Enric Miralles in Barcelona, the Consulate General celebrated the 9th edition of Italian Design Day on Wednesday 12 February, in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, the IED and Laboh.
The theme of the role of design in combating inequality and building a better future was discussed by Milanese product designer and artist Elena Salmistraro, appointed Design Ambassador for the occasion, and Catalan designer Pepa Reverter, moderated by Emanuela Procopio of IED. In the talk, they discussed the challenges and opportunities facing design today. They discussed how design is not just aesthetics, but must play a role as an agent of change in addressing the challenges of today and the future.
The central theme of the event was inclusivity and how design should not remain a privilege for the few, but be an accessible tool for the benefit of all. Design should then be able to respond to the concrete needs of society. However, practical difficulties and economic challenges are a brake on creativity.
Another issue addressed is the role of design in preserving and enhancing cultural heritage. In Italy as in Spain, small artisanal realities are experiencing major difficulties due to globalisation. Salmistraro stressed how design can serve as a bridge between these local traditions and the whole world, safeguarding our Made in Italy.
Finally, the discussion highlighted how design must be innovative in order to face contemporary challenges: new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, can be a useful tool, but are currently unable to replace human creativity. Human error, in fact, is what makes each work unique and unrepeatable, according to the two experts.
The meeting highlighted the practical challenges that design has to face in the contemporary world in order to truly be an agent of change. To do this, it is essential to have a clear direction before embarking on any project.
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