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In this conversation, which follows on from the previous episode, explores Looby Macnamara’s design web. We dive into the topic of emergent design process, and in particular Looby’s design web approach to designing anything. I was pleasantly surprised to discover in my preparations for this chat that Looby is a co-traveller in the realm of design process innovation, earnestly striving via the design web to get free of traps such as:
- Viewing design process as a linear sequence of steps
- The logical fallacy of having “design” be one of the steps within the whole “design” process
- Having observation as a step as if at some point you stop observing
- Getting too prescriptive about the end state you are heading toward
- Separating planning from action in ways that cripple the possibility of the best outcomes and discoveries
- Getting paralysed by complexity
- Getting stuck in one’s head
- Mechanical (as opposed to biological and ecological) metaphors
Learn more about Looby’s work including books and courses at her Cultural Emergence site here. Also if you’re keen to have Looby support you / us in applying the design web to something in our own lives, make a comment below and if there is enough interest and enthusiasm we’ll make it so!
Here is the design web:
Here is a juicy quote I pulled out from Looby’s latest book Cultural Emergence:
The Design Web is a non-linear process with non-linear outcomes and possibilities. Emergent design reflects the flexibility and unexpectedness of Cultural Emergence. It allows for solutions to emerge that take the design in a new direction. It is organic, responsive, adaptive, fluid, flowing and dynamic. As the design emerges we continue to weave our way between the anchor points. An attitude of emergence enables us to flow and move with what is arising. It recognises that things are not always as they seem, there is more to discover and be revealed. The process is alchemical with surprises along the way.
Looby Macnamara in Cultural Emergence
Designing regenerative cultures is an ongoing process of emergence, not a permanent destination. We are designing for and with living systems that are organic, dynamic and unpredictable. We are setting direction and intentions. It is an invitation for change, rather than being exact or prescriptive.
Thank you Dan and Looby, this podcast answered a lot of my questions about Looby’s Design Web, which I have used a few times and am now re-visiting.
And a very enthusiastic ‘Yes please!’ to an interactive online workshop on the framework! Until then, I will be re-listening and reading Looby’s People & Permaculture book…I haven’t got Cultural Emergence…yet…
Dan, I’m keen to join any future workshop with Looby, I’ve listened to both conversations twice now, enjoying the richness here.
Great conversation. Really enjoying the harmonics going on all around. Thank you both.
Liking the discernment sparking around patterns (which can be such an abstract notion, but now being appreciated with more nuance.. eg: implicate process and development patterns.. and how they express into explicate patterns of form and function).
I’d love to engage more with this here and whatever an interactive session might be. Webs, nodes, waves, wholes, eddies and nests.. Oh my!
Awesome inspiration and insight!
Would love to do a workshop on the design web.
Epic gratitude to you both for this uplifting offering.
Happy to have my lover back after 3 months of breakup, 👭👭👭👬👭 thanks to Robinsonbuckler11 (@) gmail com…..😃😍😜😎😆
wonderfully exciting
How incredibly
The best lovespell
One of your best deep dives to date!
I appreciate how you both embody the content – more than a few lightbulbs went off
and concepts really landed because of the HOW of what you explored and not just the What. Just ordered her book. Dan – you are a game changer on the planet – thank you for your own Emergent-ness!
Thanks Linda (you are too kind :-)) and also Josh, Christine and Lizzy. My sense is that it will take some enthusiasm for at least a few others before setting up an interactive session, but I will keep Looby posted and be guided by her sense also. Also – get excited – the next episode is looking to be an interview with the incredible Leah Penniman from Soul Fire Farm.
Music to my ears, I’d love to be kept in loop for an interactive session. Thank you both for your work…..
Wonderful! I’d also be interested in something interactive on the design web!
Great discussion. I’d be interested in a workshop on the web design tool.