Fabio Sergio: what is Design ?

Since the 40’s and the 50’s we agree that design has changed. More that Sullivan’s statement “Form Follows Function” nowadays “Form would Follow Emotion” or “Form would Follow Sense”, this vision of what design is today, is that Fabio Sergio has shared with us in his speech.

Frog design’s team worked according to a method: Immersion, synthesis, concept development, service design and eventually usage scenario.

The project Masiluleke (which means “lend a helping hand” in Zulu) is the best example of how Frog Design considers the project development.

This project is using mobile technology to tackle the worst HIV epidemic in the world in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. After an immersion of several months in South Africa, the designers defined that the main problem is that HIV/AIDS carries a huge social stigma in South Africa, in preventing many from getting tested or seeking treatment. The idea of an individual test which could/can be use at home is proposed. The second observation is that in South Africa people are isolated, but more than 80% of the population has access to a mobile device. The main idea of the Masiluleke project is to broadcast sms in the unused space of the “Please Call Me” (PCM) text messages (a special, free form of SMS text widely used in South Africa and across the continent). These messages can connect mobile users to existing HIV and TB call centers. The sms is also used to remind patients to take theirs drugs.

Design can’t save the world, but it could change it: working on people behaviour, creating interactions full of sense and also with beautiful images. Design is a process, it is a discovery element which generate synthesis and comprehension. It is a creation moment.

Raphaelle & Loïc