When information becomes commonplace and our interfaces with
the 'infosphere' if I may use that description, becomes wired into
our brains, we may expect to treat information and the artifacts it
metamorphoses into rather differently than we do now.

This not a distant scenario, we are already able to 'think' control
events albeit through a gizmo that is yet somewhat unwieldy. Raw
data, case studies, complex calculations and alternate solution
scenarios will be available to us at a 'glance' or a 'blink'.
Available to all of us. Each of us can hope to tap into enormous
creative potential.

Emphasis will be on making informed, mature and responsible choices,
and 'creatively' make our personal environment to our specifications.
You, me and everyone.
What kind of education do we need to cope with such a possible
scenario?
What is the meaning of design practise in such a world?

Don't believe me? Hark back to fifteen- twenty years ago, how many of
the now common materials, tools and infrastructure was available to
us then? And information access? Do you remember?

National policies on design and education need to factor in the
qualitative changes that time is bringing in at an increasingly rapid
pace. We need to embrace it and celebrate the possibillities.

Globalisation and market forces will be the least of our worries.

Regards

Deepankar Bhattacharyya
NID 1970-76
Images Communications
New Delhi