Design as Politics, by Tony Fry

摘要

I am conflicted about Tony Fry's Design as Politics. It took me much longer to read Fry's new book than I planned. I had to read Design as Politics in chunks. Every page challenged my thinking. Fry grabs you by the collar and shakes you until everything you thought was true seems like a giant lie. Tony Fry does not hold back; rather, he incites. He suggests global chaos is just around the corner, and that designers must assume a political stance in order to advance the cause of sustain-ability. Fry calls on all designers to engage in "futuring." A clear aim of Design as Politics is to suggest that designers are uniquely able to create structures that will advance global sus-tainability. Designers can construct a sustainable future through a politically charged discourse. For Fry, designers make politics real. Pessimism detracts from the strength of this book. The strength of Fry's observations need not be enhanced through a clarion call to arms. Design as political action in the pursuit of sustainability is clear. Now it is time to get on with the hard work at hand. Leaders of Fry's stature are needed to get things done.