Writing the paradigm

Citing a recently published book on metadesign the article asks whether designers could learn to change paradigms. Defining metadesign as an extensible superset of adaptable and comprehensive practices, it suggests that we also need to include the many ‘conditions’ of design (e.g. education and training, evaluative frameworks, international standards and protocols, etc.) that shape the outcomes of practice. Given the complexity and scope of this idea, it seems likely that we will need to develop genres of writing that are judged by outcomes, rather than by style, veracity or logic. The article outlines a diagnostic tool that enables users to register, evaluate and map the critical relationships that co-sustain a given paradigm. Mapping enables them to be evaluated holistically. Modifying individual parts of the map might help to change the paradigm as a whole. The article also draws upon gastronomic and chemical analogies to bring non-serial clusters of critical elements together in effective ways. These would be designed, for example, to ‘emulsify’ team relations or to ‘catalyse’ active engagement within groups.