The TV program Designing for life is quite exciting and inspiring. When watching the program, I am getting to understand the philosophy of Philippe Starck and testing myself. At the beginning of the show, he said he believed that design is the power to change the society, and every designer need to question if they need to design more products. Sustainability is one important aspect of his philosophy for design. Before designing a product, designer need to ask themselves if the product is necessary to the world. As for me, this question is difficult to answer. Every time I decide to design or redesign a product, I just go for it without asking if we need it or not. The reason is that It is difficult to justify, rather than wasting time on struggling, I would go for it and let others justify it for me. This is not right for a good designer, but I know it is a process of learning and a good reason for designing is important. Actually people who designing is blind for the work at hand, and asking others to tell is a good way to take you out of the box. 
Simplicity is another philosophy that Philippe Starck claims. What I know about simplicity is to design as less as possible. Using simple forms and make things simple and easy for everyone. Philippe Starck's well kn owed Salif Juicer is in so simple form and perform its function well. It expresses simplicity thoroughly. Before making the product simple, we have to know the complexity of it. Understand the parts and functions, understand what is necessary and the interaction with users are vital in making things simple. In the way of seeking to design less, we have to practise a lot and know the story behind the product. That is the aim of the excerise that appeared in the first episode. Students were asked to choose two products that based on their chosen theme. Function, ecology and gender are the themes that can be chose. I was impressed by the student named Nebil who chose a joy stick and a multi function socket set to represent male and female. His understanding of this two products is that they means different attributes of male and female.He said the five extension lines of the multi function socket meant five attributes like love,intelligence, philosophy that female have, while male was more direct and the attributes can be seen at the buttons of the joy stick. It is really interesting to see product in this way and the story in terms of gender is quite impressive and interesting. As what Philippe commented, we do not need to think, but just to receive what the product tells. Understanding the spirit of the product is good for us to design it that express the language and what we want to convey to the customers.
Designing for life shows the reality of what a product designer should be, and I see the passion and spirit behind the legend in product design. "We are not artist, we should be proud that what we can do to the society", even though sometimes it is frustrated, it deserves when watching the finished work at hand.
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