CCDN271 - Assignment Two: Abstract and Argument

In the growing global marketplace it is a necessity for businesses as well as designers to continue to remain competitive, for many this consequently means employing new strategies to gain an edge on their competitors. One such strategy utilized is that of emergence that is quickly becoming a part of the business principals in some creative industries, this is a constantly growing phenomenon within the marketplace. The problem is however, that since it is such a recent occurrence, much is still unknown about its effectiveness. In this project, I will research the use of emergence as an organizational tool for companies in creative industries. This is in order to reveal how it can be compatible with a viable business model, evaluating the use of emergence in business. I will achieve this by reading current literature from experts and theorists in this field, including works by Claire McInerney, Charles Wankel and Steven Floyd; from this I shall form a critical overview of leading theories. By consolidating these theories I will establish a framework of a working business model that uses emergence, I will then be able to compare this framework to contemporary examples of real world businesses that’s operation relies on the use of emergence. This study will show how the use of emergence can be compatible with a viable business model. Furthermore, I will be able to identify some of its limitations and strengths, thus the use of emergence in business will itself be evaluated.

Assignment 1: Assessing and Critiquing Sources

In the chapter ‘Drunk in an Orgy of Technology’ of the book ‘Emergence: Morphogenetic Design Strategies’ Professor Chris Wise extrapolates on the topic of emergent design and its continually developing place in the world. He does so by focusing on the current problems that are slowing the progress of emergent design, and suggesting alternative methods that would speed up the development of new emergent designs. The areas that He identifies as things to be improved can be arranged into three distinctive categories.

Firstly, Chris Wise compellingly illustrates the association between emergence and the use of genetic algorithms with examples from renowned mathematicians, such as Marcus Du Sautoy, who used an elaborate algorithm combined with music to find prime numbers. However, he suggests that a reliance on complex algorithms is an impedance on emergent design. This connection is often not recognized in similar texts, and brings forth a valid point about the necessity of algebra. Secondly, he asserts that the software and computational power of modern computers are also hindering the progress of emergence. Explaining that even the greatest of modern-day computers lack the necessary computing power for more important research into emergence. I think this is an important point, in that it is definitely true for current day computers and software. However, I disagree with this point since I believe that the fact design relies heavily on computers, in itself, shows how useful computers are in achieving things that would otherwise be impossible. Furthermore, as technology progresses it will create new possibilities for design, so the movement away from the use of technology I see as a mistake. Furthermore, even the author concedes that technological advancement will probably be the largest contributor to the development of emergent designs. Thirdly, he argues that the practical application of emergence is also limited by human imagination. He argues that the current technology scientists and researchers have is capable of achieving more than what it is used for, thus a more focused and thoughtful approach to design would dramatically improve results. I believe this is his strongest and most compelling point. I think he shows an interesting area in emergent design that needs further development, although I think people do know this is a problem, but what the author wants is hard to achieve. However, despite the apparent problems with emergent design that he covers, he does hypothesize about the use of emergence in the future, optimistically postulating that emergent design would be used to create a fantastic wealth of design beyond anyone’s imagination. That is a point with which I strongly agree, and is the reason why advancements in the methodologies of emergent design that the author covers, should be further explored.

Overall, I believe that Chris Wise makes very valid and interesting points concerning emergence, in particular his predictions for the future. While as a whole, his analyses of some of the major problems that are hindering emergence are well illustrated and insightful. I would have to say I agree with his thesis and his criticism of current practices. 

Reference

Wise, C. M. (2004). Drunk in an Orgy of Technology, Emergence: Morphogenetic design strategies. (Vol. 74, pp. 54-53). Chichester, West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.