It's about making human life richer, more personal, less abrasive. There also is risk in using research to raise client expectations, he suggested. A designer may be tempted to suggest outcomes for a client based on research, however outcomes in design are dangerous to predict because of the many variables involved. A recurrent theme in the Research Summit was the effect of technological innovation on humanity and the need for designers to prepare to design for radically altered lifestyles and workstyles. This month's column will feature some of the highlights from the technology presentations.
Freedom is more important in the workplace than job security.
Increase in miniaturization of technology. Business will no longer be characterized by a fixed location and a fixed work force. Blurring of boundaries between home and work, not that life is becoming work but that work is becoming more fun. Managers will become merely first among equals, communicating objectives, offering suggestions, providing motivation, while functioning as trouble shooters. Forty percent of employees will not have permanent contracts, but will be retained as dictated by demand.