I have been interested in the idea of “open source design” since my introduction to the field of design, despite (or perhaps because of) the fact that the concept itself remains somewhat nebulous in definition. My ideas about open source … Continue reading →

The Whirlwind Wheelchairs project at San Francisco State University, led by wheelchair design pioneer Ralph Hotchkiss, conducts research in wheelchair design specifically targeted towards local manufacture in small factories around the world. Initially conceived as a reaction to the poor … Continue reading →

Globalization is perhaps the most significant modern trend affecting the fundamental role of today’s designer. At the same time, the need for universal design is a major factor that must provide motivation for the contemporary designer to work in new … Continue reading →