Magic by design: Technology transformed

Abstract

Technology is often associated with the 'magic and miracles of the glittering industrialized world' (Maathai 1995). It is often seen as unattainable for the majority living in developing countries and the fact that it impacts directly or indirectly on everyones' lives is rarely acknowledged. The observation that 'common people and policymakers alike [view modern technology] with a respect and wonder, usually associated with the occult', is also true to designers (Saha 1990). The South Commission (1990) suggests that countries of the South have consistently undervalued the role technology plays in development and that a 'sense of inferiority in the field of science and technology' is a fundamental problem. Here design has a critical role to play in making technology accessible at all levels.