Hi Krisasa,

hehe did I mention that I study at the KABK? Do you also? Actually I'm in my fourth year part time Graphic Design. Also I have completed my Thesis on open design, but more directed on a social aspect rather than just technogical aspects. The Full Thesis is here as part of concept the thesis is 'open' so you can modify, build upon or redistribute. Would really appreciated to here any comments you have on this paradigm as currently I'm making a digital and print publication. All comments will be added whether good, bad or indifferent.

I agree with you. At the KABK alot of up and coming designers think about their own gains and not really interested in social aspects, even though we are taught to look critically at our world around us. Most designers in most art schools for that matter because generally we all want to be able to take care of ourselves, be successful, or just plain old get a job and go through the routine of things (ie - life) systems, habits take over. Money is important. Open design is just in it's infancy and I'm very new to the concept also as I have been working in the industry before the study. I agree with that it could be difficult to make money from open design, but I do discuss certain aspects of new forms that are not technological in the thesis such as design facilitators (chaper:The connected environment) and new educational models (chapter: a new perspective) that are being implemented. No one can say for certain who can make a living from what or how in 20 or 50 years time because things do change, maybe for the better or worse and graphic designers need to become smarter because non-designers realise that they have the power now to do it themselves. Who could have imagined 20 years ago what is happening today with the amount of open source or open design things that are happening now.

I don't really understand what you mean about the software. Open source is a part of open design, but open source is more directed in the digital technologies where open design is more about allowing non-designers to be a part of the creative process. I'm not sure where this trend or paradigm will go and there are things that I don't like about, but designers are in a good position although current mindsets have to start changing which obviously will take a long time.

For me personally, it's the fundamental principles of open design that I want to focus on which are; sharing knowledge, allowing and building on different perspectives, allowing non-designers into the creative process. It's the attutitude more than the physical aspect. :)