When I first read about Michael Young on The Young Foundation website I felt he’s a great philanthropist and social innovator. His visionary thinking resulted in great organisations that became crucial to the quality of life in the UK and the world to a certain extent: NHS Direct (archived link) – NHS Direct was active for 15 years before getting replaced in 2014 by NHS 111, The Open University, and Which? Consumers Association, just to name a few. But I couldn’t link in my mind why he would be an important figure to discuss in a Master of Design postgraduate programme. I asked myself: Why would social innovation projects be connected to the Design world? At that moment I realised how important it is not to limit my conception of Design to only commercial components such as products, services, experiences, brands, and even buildings. And to have greater appreciation for initiatives and innovations that are designed with depth and momentum to shape the behaviours, attitudes and wellbeing of communities across the globe.
Takeaway thought? Everything is a result of a design.
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