The Duality of Design #2

In this series, we will explore the duality of design and examine various aspects.
Today, we will delve into the realm of handcraft and automation in design production.

The relationship between manual work and automation

The remarkable progress in automation technology driven by AI in recent years is undeniable. From conversational text AI to image-generating AI, the rapid development where things that used to take people a long time to create can now be done in just a few seconds with minimal input is truly astonishing. Automation technology is not a new phenomenon; looking back at the history of the Industrial Revolution and even earlier, tools and services used by people have always evolved through automation.

Despite the widespread adoption of automation, manual work is still prevalent in many areas even in today’s modern world where machinery and digital technology have advanced. Creator’s work and tasty dishes from popular restaurants, for example, are made possible by the unique handcraft of individuals. Moreover, the quality of services in hotels, healthcare, and caregiving – where hospitality is essential, greatly depends on the interaction between staff and customers.

How will automation impact designers? Will the skills traditionally practiced through handcraft become outdated? Let’s first look back at the history of manual work, AI, and automation.

The history of automation in manufacturing

Let’s consider manufacturing as an example. Here, I define automation as a state where creators and producers can create without directly engaging in manual work.

In ancient times when mechanical technology was not yet established, the method of producing goods through the apprentice system was adopted, where disciples inherited the skills of their masters. Through learning techniques from a skilled artisan or writer, striving to reproduce a state as close to the original as possible – the transmission of skills took place. While production can now be done without the direct involvement of original creators, the quality may vary due to the handcraft based on the skills and interpretations of the producers.

As the concept of blueprints became widespread, creators could communicate the design intent even when they were not present, enabling the expansion of mass production. Blueprints contain information such as numbers and mechanisms to reproduce shapes and performance, as well as instructions on how to assemble parts and manufacture, ensuring consistent quality without variations in the interpretation of the production process. Similarly, in the music world, the invention of musical scores enabled others besides the original performer to play music of equal quality. However, manual work is still predominant since creating blueprints and writing musical scores are written by humans.

The technology of machines for manufacturing has advanced dramatically in modern times. The era of factory automation arrived, where machines took over many aspects of the producer’s process. Processes such as molding and processing parts, assembling, and even inspection were automated, allowing for a production system where goods could be made without relying on manual labor. While this change led to the automation of many artisanal skills, creators such as designers and engineers still revolve around manual work.

In the information society of the 21st century, digital technology has evolved. Today, most products are produced by inputting digital design data into machines. Designers use CAD software for creation; the software continues to upgrade daily. Functions such as automatic shape correction in design and AI-generated content have been added, benefiting creators in their manual work in the contemporary context.

Automation: Coexistence and pushback

As automation continues to expand, there is also a growing interest in craftsmanship as a reaction to automation.

Media that feature handmade products still exist, and in areas such as furniture and dining, attention is drawn to artisans and craftsmen, emphasizing the difference between machine-made mass-produced items. In recent years, along with the focus on sustainability, there has been a spotlight on activities related to the renovation of buildings and repair efforts such as kintsugi for broken tableware.

Looking back at history, there have been several movements revisiting craftsmanship. One notable example is the Arts and Crafts movement that took place in the 1880s, primarily in the UK, as a reaction against mass production during the Industrial Revolution.

In Japan, the Mingei (folk craft) movement led by Soetsu Yanagi during the Taisho to Showa era is well-known. Industrial designer Yoshio Akioka, who was active after the war, emphasized the importance of craftsmanship due to a sense of crisis towards poor quality mass production. Both Yanagi and Akioka were not simply rejecting automation to regress to the past. Yanagi pointed out the beauty of efficiency in mass production through craftsmanship as one of the characteristics of Mingei.

Rather than a binary view of either returning to the era of craftsmanship or embracing full automation, designers in the field of product creation can learn from the initiatives of pioneers on how to maintain the essence of craftsmanship amidst advancing automation technology.

Designers and automation

The question of whether advancements in technology will lead to the loss of designer jobs is not new. With each new automation technology, such discussions have taken place, but at least in Japan, there has not been a significant decrease in the number of people working as designers*. However, the nature of a designer’s work has evolved significantly over time.

*Source: 2013-2018 Survey on the Actual Status of Specific Service Industries

Reflecting on history, the skills required have changed from using one’s hands to create, drawing plans to communicate, using machinery or digital tools for expression, gathering information, and utilizing AI. 

In the future, automation in design become more prevalent such as developing new forms of products or generating UI for smartphone apps in environments without designers. While it may not be practical now, with advancing technology, it may soon become a reality. However, relying solely on automation without human intervention may lead to the creation of similar designs. At that point, the skill required of designers might be more about curation, and deciding where to utilize automation.

In addition to skills, perspective, and attitude towards things are considered essential qualities for designers to navigate through automation. When designing something, designers are conscious not only of the product or service but also of the people who will use it, aspects of life, business needs, and societal relevance. Creativity is a crucial aspect demanded of designers regardless of the era, but enhancing creativity in automation may heavily rely on how one perceives and approaches things.

Craftsmanship in an automated era

Looking at society, as long as people are involved as users, both automation and manual work are necessary for products and services. 

In the medical field, tools like sensors that inform about a patient’s condition or robots used in surgery have advanced automation. While these are maximized, areas requiring the skilled hands of medical professionals, such as complex surgeries or post-operative care provided by medical staff, fall into the realm of manual labor that automation alone cannot cover. The future of fully automated medical care might be achievable, but as long as patients desire human interaction, manual labor in healthcare is unlikely to reach zero. The design of products and services for human use will continue to exist in that space.

Let’s focus on another example – tools. User interfaces for operating equipment have evolved from mechanical controls to buttons, keyboards, a mouse, and then to touchscreens and pen tablets. It’s fascinating to note that as technology advances, tools are transforming into interfaces that harness the capabilities of human craftsmanship. As long as users are human there is a need for craftsmanship alongside automation.

The evolution of automation often leads us to imagine a dystopian future, but viewing it as a technology that enhances the potential of craftsmanship helps us accept it positively. In such a time, what can designers create? Does it make you excited for the future if you think of it that way?

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