Design thinking helps you solve problems

“Design is the most accessible form of visual culture — we touch it. We use it everyday. It’s based on solving a particular problem,” says Jennifer Northrop of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. I could not agree more! That's why I love the Define Live-Work contest. It allows anyone to think about how a live-work space can be designed without having to be a designer. Fabulous designer Fabian Bernal will take care of actually implementing the winning design in the space. (Don't forget to take a look and vote for your favorite design idea!) But more importantly, it stimulates your creative juices to think about how to solve a problem: what's the best use for an unusual live-work space in the heart of Washington, DC?

The above quotation references a series of discussions today all around DC that will educate and expose non-designers to the art of design and its importance to everyday living. To give you an idea of the importance of design, Michelle Obama is hosting a luncheon in conjunction with the program today. More info here.

Image: Courtesy Shop Architects and Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.