Design Consciousness to Design Conscience: A Contemplation on Contemporary Textile

In the twenty-first century, as the entire globe is aspiring for sustainable design, we need not only to engage ourselves creatively but also thoughtfully while designing a product. Design Consciousness involves creative thinking that helps in designing a product and relates to the environment that we live in (Goldberg, Design Consciousness – A Manifesto, 2018; Varanasi Design consciousness. Viewpoint, 2018). Most textile designs, in contemporary times, aim at fulfilling the conditions of the market and the desires of the masses (Chacon, Textual Cultures 13:49–69, 2020). Using techniques and technology of design (Wylant, Des Issues 24(2):3–14, 2008), it becomes easy to create a product fitting to the demands of the market. Given the consumeristic culture of the market, it is harder to think creatively and thoughtfully while engaging ourselves in making a sustainable product (Nikam, Gaps, challenges and drivers for environmentally sustainable textile and garment manufacturing in India, In: Naomi Lubick (ed), Working papers, Environment Institute, Stockholm, 2023). The notion of sustainability rather demands deep thinking (Naess, Enviorn Ethics 6(3):265–270, 1984). This lays down the notion of conscience as a normative means of understanding the intent and content of a designed product (Kazmerczak, Des Issues 19(2):45–59, 2003). Such a mode of creative thinking helps to deeply engage and strive to create something meaningful for the betterment of the world. Contemporary textiles are also passing through a critical phase where it is becoming day-by-day challenging to cope with the demands. Whether it is silk or cotton, we tend to overlook the health hazards on the community of users, the production process, and ultimately their adverse effects on the environment. For instance, “fast fashion” is considered to be an unsustainable production process that is connected to design consciousness. To make contemporary textiles sustainable, design consciousness must exhibit commitment and responsibility towards the environment. Gandhiji’s thoughtful engagement in making clothes using hand spinning and weaving is an example of sustainable design, where he listened to his conscience (Chatterjee, Des Issues 21(4):4–10, 2005: 4). While drawing insights from Gandhian perspectives (Torchia, Worldviews 1(3):231–247, 1997), one could critique the contemporary market-centric textile design. A sustainable product could be designed thoughtfully and with commitment and responsibility, to make designing a more meaningful enterprise. While contemplating the philosophy behind creating sustainable textiles, the objective of the paper is to discuss the concept of design consciousness and the necessity of appealing to design conscience. Design conscience as a normative engagement has the power to transform the design consciousness in general and to strengthen the notion of sustainability in particular.