Case Study: New Zealand Design and Innovation 案例研究:新西兰的设计与创新

 

thinking design

New Zealand has a reputation for being a particularly independent thinking nation.

新西兰是一个以独立思考著称的国度。

It is also known for being relaxed, green and friendly.

其悠闲、绿色和友善也同样闻名。

These characteristics when combined in a context of design, product development and manufacturing lead to a unique approach to, and understanding of, the term ‘innovation’.

当这些特质在设计、产品开发和制造业语境之下结合在一起时,就为“创新”一词赋予了一种独特的态度和理解。

Set at the bottom of the world, nz’s isolation and deprivation in previous decades, has equipped nzers with both an inquisitive mind and an unusual level of self reliance. Innovation of ‘need’ has been substantially replaced by applied innovation in creative and technological contexts. The isolation that used to be seen as a real disadvantage has, through clever marketing and technological change, become one of nz’s strongest assets.

新西兰可以说是位于世界的“底部”。在之前的数十年里,这份与世隔绝和资源匮乏造就了新西兰人好奇的头脑和非凡的自力更生能力。出于“需要”的创新已基本上被创意和技术语境下的应用创新所取代。通过聪明的市场营销和技术变革,曾被视为缺点的隔绝孤立已经成为新西兰最强大的资产之一。

This attitude has affected the way everything is done in nz. From the way children are brought up to social policies that ensure fair treatment for all people, well most people, to the way designers see the world that they contribute to. The ‘can do’ attitude of nzers is what differentiates them from most other cultures and this attitude contributes to the freshness and clarity of designs and designers in nz through natural innovation, previously, the need for innovation.

在新西兰,做每一件事的方式都受到这种态度的影响。从如何养育孩子,到确保人人——好吧,是大多数人——得到平等待遇的社会政策,再到设计师们如何看待他们为之挥洒创意的这个世界,无一例外。正是新西兰人这种“能行”的态度,使他们有别于大多数的其他文化;而这种态度,借由本能的创新,也就是以前所说的对创新的需求,为新西兰的设计和设计师们平添上一份清新与明晰。

To challenge convention and not to accept the norm is fundamental to designers, or should be, and this provocative approach to problem solving is enhanced by the social and environmental conditions prevalent in nz through its global location and historic precedents. True innovation only occurs when social conditions support it and when culture and economies benefit from it.

挑战传统和拒绝成规是设计师的根本,或者说设计师应当如此,而在新西兰,由于地理位置和历史先例原因而形成的社会和环境条件又更加强了这种挑衅式的解决问题的方式。真正的创新只有在得到社会条件支持而文化和经济又从中受益的情况下才会出现。

The push towards 2025 in Chinese economic developments has emphasized the need for innovative and creative attitudes to lead the way in the economy of the future. The areas of economic support have been identified by the state council and financial support will be focused towards these emerging and already established businesses. However innovation and creativity do not just happen, the right social and cultural conditions are required to encourage and support these left brain activities.

中国经济发展2025推进计划强调了未来的经济需由创新和创意精神去引领。国务院确定了给予经济支持的发展领域,而资金扶持也将集中于这些新兴的或成熟的产业。然而,创新和创造力不会就此发生,需要合适的社会和文化条件去鼓励和支撑这些左脑的活动。

Reading the brief analysis of the nz design/innovation situation shows one way that an environment that needs, and then supports, innovation can benefit an economy in much the same way China’s leadership is promoting. Within China there should be positive movements in both the economy and education to create an enabling support for creative activity and in this way the seeds of innovation and creative endeavour in all forms can grow to support, not just the economic growth of China, but also the culture and arts of China.

对新西兰的设计/创新状况的简要分析显示,一个需要创新而又反过来支持创新的环境能够惠及一国经济,中国政府正在推行的发展模式即大致与此类似。中国在经济和教育方面都应实施积极举措,为创造性活动创建一种使之能够实现的支持,唯其如此,一切形式的创新与创造性努力的种子才得以生长,从而不仅为中国的经济增长提供支持,也促进中国在文化艺术上的发展。

So this week’s chat is to encourage people to become aware of the design work that happens in nz and to use this as a start point for researching social, historical and economic influences in other nations that claim a design or innovation heritage (Italy, France, Scandinavian countries, England etc) .

所以,本期所聊的主题旨在鼓励人们去了解发生在新西兰的设计活动,并由此出发,调研设计在其他具有设计和创新传统的国家(如意大利、法国、斯堪的纳维亚国家、英国等)里所产生的社会、历史和经济影响。

In this way a deeper knowledge of the importance of design to the expression of nationhood, the identity of cultural strength and importance of geographic influence will help to inform young designers’ development and professionalism. To understand why we do things assists in developing the confidence we need to challenge the how we do them.

设计对于国家地位的表达、文化力量的身份认同和地理影响力的重要性具有重大意义,更深入地了解这种意义将有助于影响年轻设计师的成长和专业素养。明白自己做事的原因会帮助我们建立起所需要的自信,去向我们做这些事的方式发起挑战。

For further information about design and designers in New Zealand check these links:

读者如有兴趣了解更多关于新西兰设计及设计师的资讯,请访问以下网站:

www.betterbydesign.org.nz

www.dinz.org.nz/

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