Producers and providers of products and services are encouraged to practice “design mindfulness,” a more responsible and forward-thinking approach to design that seeks to keep pace with the modern industry trends of sustainability and innovation.
Design mindfulness “is crucial as we try to expand our exports of design-driven products and services while ensuring minimal negative impacts on the environment,” said Mina Gabor, trustee for the tourism sector of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. or PHILEXPORT.
In her remarks at the recent PHILEXPORT general membership meeting, Gabor added that evolving market requirements are emphasizing sustainable and innovative designs that incorporate the use of renewable materials, minimize waste, and reduce carbon footprint and energy consumption.
The executive stressed that design mindfulness, also called design thinking, is different from analytical thinking or critical thinking.
“Design thinking involves thinking of a solution to a long-term problem. Analytical thinking often consists of defining and solving the problem upfront,” she stated.
She mentioned two major developments globally that open up opportunities and where design mindfulness or design thinking can be applied. These are the growing population of older people with the money for travel and products and the emergence of women as purchasing heavyweights.
Gabor noted in particular that 10.2 million women worldwide are earning more than their husbands and that 65% of car-buying decisions are made by women. Women also have the overwhelming decision-making power when it comes to buying home furnishings, holiday products, and houses.
Gabor urged companies to engage in design thinking development with these two rising groups in mind.
In her talk, she also said that Filipinos have, not surprisingly, been long known for being immensely talented and creative.
“Apart from our natural resources and indigenous materials, we are known for our skills and rich traditions. As a result, a growing sub-sector emerged, that of Creative Tourism that attracts tourists and investors through cultural and historical sites, food, and heritage celebrations [and that has] so far created 2.8 million job opportunities,” Gabor said.
She called on companies to adopt a more responsible and forward-thinking approach to design. “As we proceed, we need to have an open mind to not only think sustainability and innovation but incorporate these strategies into our work and personal lives.”
Gabor noted that many tools and avenues are now available to help firms practice design thinking in order “to create sustainable products and services that benefit our people, planet and profitability.” These include technology, artificial intelligence, laboratories, and government and private sector programs and services.
“Design sustainability is not merely a buzzword; it is a call to action. It requires us to rethink our entire approach to design—from conception to production and from usage to disposal,” said Gabor.
According to a McKinsey & Company report, design thinking is good business, noting that the best design performers increase their revenues and investor returns at nearly twice the rate of their industry competitors.
Design thinking is “the single biggest competitive advantage that you can have” because if you solve your customers’ needs first, you’ll always win, it said.
