One Plus One Equals Three

A Manifesto (more or less)

1+1=3 is an Australian blog dedicated to the discussion of design—principally graphic/communication design and interactive design (from Australia whenever possible).

1+1=3 will reflect upon what it is that designers do and how it impacts on people, our culture(s) and our world.

1+1=3 is intended to be a catalyst for discussion about design and intends to make visible and to make public the thinking, the questions and the issues that confront designers everyday. In the words of Josef Albers, pioneering Bauhaus designer and educator: "In design, one plus one equals three sometimes". Design can deliver more than just problem solving (1+1=2) and is not merely an occupation for fashion-savvy stylists. It's at least both those things and very much more.

1+1=3's (Australian) conversation about design will continue to develop on these pages. Keep in touch – and join in.

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Why One Plus One Equals Three?

Writing about design and critical review of design has been a neglected area of activity for the design profession in Australia. Save for a few hardy souls, who will often be found in academia, there is very little writing of any sort, shape or description that debates the success or otherwise of a design outcome, describes exactly what it is that designers do and why we do it. Such writing and commentary would indicate a healthy state of activity and enquiry in our profession and would help outline just what design is and can be. All areas of the arts and 'applied arts': cinema, the fine arts, architecture, fashion and writing all have publications devoted to review, criticism, commentary and debate. Design in Australia, has very few. In fact, the paucity of writing on design in this country indicates that as a profession, we are not in receipt of a clean bill of health, so to speak.1