The final two chapters of the Heskett book were called "Contexts" and "Futures."
"Contexts" is about how contexts that designers are in affect their work. There are three main contexts: professional organization (how designers see themselves), business, and government policy. The chapter explains how design is a unique profession that is not dependent on many large organizations. Some large organizations exist, such as AIGA, but the USA does not have a design policy (pg 123). The reason being that design is so arbitrary that it would be hard for the government to support. Design is mainly an independent profession, and although affected by these contexts, is not dependent on them. The last paragraph of the chapter cites a fourth context for design: public opinion. This is the context in which the public understands and interprets design. It seems that the public doesn't realize the extent to which design affects them and their lives. I certainly didn't before taking this course.
"Futures" describes the evolution of design. It predicts that design will continue to evolve much the same way it has historically: in layers, rather than linear. The concepts that are prevalent in design now will be pushed and expanded a little at a time. People in poverty and "third-world" countries provide the most need for designers and the field of design to expand to them. Design is beginning to be more conscious of people's needs and of the environment both on large and small scales. It is clear the we need designers who can push the field further into these areas and who will be willing to educate themselves and understand the world around them and the field of design.
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