Situated Design Practice

The visit to Cal Negre was a striking experience, but what touched me the most was our encounter with a local farmer. He has preserved his family’s farm, passed down through generations, and shared with us the evolution of this area in the Llobregat Delta. His testimony was particularly moving as it shed light on the profound transformations of this territory.

It is easy to take a critical stance on these changes, to denounce their environmental and social impacts. However, it is essential to understand that they were driven by an expansionist logic that, at the time, was the primary focus of cities. Today, we have no choice but to study the consequences of these past decisions. But it is not us, city dwellers, who truly bear the cost—it is the local farmers who, for various reasons, have been forced to abandon their land and livelihood.

Another striking aspect is the aging of this profession. The average age of farmers exceeds 50, and there is little generational renewal. Few young people are willing to take on this demanding job, even though the demand for food continues to grow with increasing urban populations. Instead of supporting those who feed us, we make their work more difficult: soil pollution, insufficient remuneration, necessary but sometimes restrictive environmental regulations, and expropriations in favor of industrial zones. Paradoxically, we are expanding massive port infrastructures to import products that were once grown locally.

This reality is complex and multifaceted. What particularly interested me was seeing how our consumption habits deeply influence entire sectors, sometimes driven by trivial desires. The visit to this area, with its historical context, pushes us as designers to reflect on possible alternatives, even at a small scale, to address these large-scale challenges.

During this course, we also had the privilege of attending talks by Hibai, a journalist, and Ben Ditto, a creative director and journalist active on social media. To me, these two figures share a crucial common point: their determination to uncover and disseminate significant facts to raise awareness and provoke action. Of course, this is the fundamental role of a journalist, but the way they address their topics is particularly impactful. Ben Ditto, in particular, adopts a raw and unfiltered approach, making his messages all the more striking.

What I especially appreciate about them is their commitment to sharing these realities while providing their personal perspective. They do not merely inform; they spark debate and encourage others to reflect and take action. Ben Ditto’s work on social media exemplifies this dynamic. His content, though sometimes difficult for certain audiences, plays a crucial role in spreading awareness of contemporary issues.

In conclusion, this course has given me valuable insights into the impact of our societal choices and how, as designers, we can contribute to critical and constructive reflection. It has also reminded me of the importance of storytelling and information sharing in raising awareness and exploring new solutions to today’s challenges.