There is a preconception that artists and designers exist to decorate and make things pretty. Now, famed designer, Dieter Rams stated "Good design is aesthetic", yet only well-executed products can truly be beautiful. We must think about both form AND function.

The benefits of engaging with arts and culture are clear — it can lead to a happier life, full of self-expression. As specialists within the cultural sector, how can you communicate this to the public? Another run-of-the-mill exhibition may not always capture your audience’s imagination.

At Buttercrumble, we always state that “design is about solving problems within a set of limitations”. This is even more true for environments. The landscape is infinite, not just a flat sheet of paper. So, the scale of observation is vital (Ingold, 2013). Based on findings from a What Works Wellbeing report (Mansfield, 2020) we believe there are five key areas to consider. What are they and how do can you achieve success?

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has changed. Many of us are working in silos, remotely, and away from our colleagues. However, this is hardly revolutionary for the creative industry! We are a hotchpotch of freelancers, collectives and agencies — flexible working is part of our DNA.

In this digital world, why is having a physical space still important?

In a social and political climate overpowered by challenges, complexities, and controversies, the ability to find common ground, communicate, and create, is more pressing than ever. As part of the design community and the creative sector, Buttercrumble believes it is our duty to explore and innovate new ways of solving our current problems. And we have. There was green design, holistic design — now we have co-design.