design research

RESearch interest:

In my experiences as a professional designer, I have been intrigued with the idea of a need versus a want. While a product can be created to address either, what is needed and what is wanted remains out of balance if a person or business struggles to meet their most basic needs required to survive. Interwoven in my graduate thesis was the study and application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This is the understanding that people must address absolute needs to survive and function. This begins with air to breath, followed closely by water and then nourishment (all of these are physiological needs). It becomes more complex as the initial required needs are met. The list of needs to be met gradually diminishes as each level of need is met; theoretically ending with all required needs addressed and allowing the person/organization to be free to pursue only wants.

 I have also realized that “needs beget needs.” This is my way of stating that as needs arise, they create more needs to be addressed. For example, if a person needs a vehicle to efficiently travel to work (meeting the need for security through an earned wage), then they must now fulfill a new need for fuel to power that vehicle. While meeting some needs does create more necessary actions, Maslow’s theory still stands that needs become less prevalent.

 Maslow suggests a narrowing list of needs to be met. This creates a pyramid, outside of which are open areas of time where wants can be addressed. It is in these areas, I contend, that creative and innovative work can occur the most. While innovation can indeed exist to meet required needs, a person who is not concerned about meeting a need for food or security can more easily focus on dreaming and changing their station. When a business has paid all of its fixed costs, then that business can utilize its net profits to take chances in new markets or develop new products. Any time a person or organization has more assets than required liabilities, the balance of survival versus thriving begins to shift.

I would like to promote more thought and discussion on this topic. As a designer, I would like to consider how new products and technology can meet absolute needs to free up space for people to innovate more. By defining absolute needs versus wants, we can better identify new opportunities for business or determine a product to help meet an individual’s or group’s unique need.