Each time I tell friends that I am enrolled in a master's degree program in applied art and design, they often give me a quizzical look. They could be thinking, "Wait, what is a lawyer and media educator doing in an applied art and design course?"
I had been having the same thoughts when a colleague first encouraged me to pursue further studies in design. Yet something felt right by impulse and instinct when I decided to enrol in the applied art and design program.
Prior to enrolling, I did some research and I became convinced that the world of law and communication, which are my background, and in fact, the world in general could use some good dose of design principles.
A month into the course, readings on design principles and research keep me hooked into discovering how design can help us function better.
For instance, design principles like the 80/20 Rule, Affordance, Anthropomorphic Form, and Chunking have a lot to do with how we communicate to influence, how we lay down our case, how we argue to convince, how we design our working environment, and I could just go on and on.
But for some reason I am drawn into using the design-oriented mind not just in creating things but in destroying things as well. Mind you, there is a lot that we should destroy in this country.
Like, have you ever thought about how design can minimize, if not, destroy the illegal drugs trade?
Design's 80/20 Rule tells us that in most likelihood around 80% of the drug trade is being run by more or less 20% of drug traders - the large syndicates and corrupt law enforcement officials. Focus on destroying the 20% and you will wipe out 80% of the problem. "A high percentage of effects in any large system are caused by a low percentage of variables."
Neat, huh. But that, I guess, is a simple truth that does not even need a knowledge in design to understand.
Affordance. "When the affordance of an object or environment corresponds with its intended function, the design will perform more efficiently and be easier to use."
Think of affordances that allow the easy entry of billions worth of shabu weighing hundreds of kilos in one go. A corrupt environment of law enforcement is one - never mind that still majority of law enforcers are trying to do their jobs properly. Replace that corrupt environment with a system of professional and principled law enforcement, and you deprive big-time illegal drug traders with an affordance of a front-door entry.
The lack of law enforcers, prosecutors and courts is another. Inefficiency, and yes, corruption in the criminal justice system is an affordance that allows impunity in the illegal drugs trade to prevail as well.
It would not be so far out to believe the president saying that sinister forces may be trying to sabotage his anti-drug war - that summary executions of likely innocent teenagers were staged in order to discredit his administration.
But, then candidate Duterte promised to lick the drug problem in six months. He failed, saying that he only knew of the extent of the problem when he became president, and that he needs more time.
How long should the people wait - and endure the blood spilling in the streets - before the president realizes that his drug war, morally debased from the start by violent quick fixes, is not working because the system remains designed to allow the illegal drugs trade to continue?