art & design: american design clubs on the rise

Mpdclick has noticed a new wave of design clubs in America, indicating a marked shift in American design culture. A move on from the rise in community spirit and handcrafts, the emergence of these clubs in the US reflect a social change towards the creation of a new design scene that is as vibrant and well supported as that of Europe.

Whilst artists and designers in the states have little government support due to design not being categorised within the science or the humanities as it is in Europe, this may all be set to change. Three independent design clubs fronting the shift include the American Design Club in New York, JOIN: Design Seattle in Seattle and the Object Design League in Chicago. Each of these associations are not only challenging the existing framework of the US’ design scene by incorporating business acumen with community participation, but are building a new, lasting infrastructure for the new generation of artists.

With simple but pronounced objective such as American Design Club’s three step ‘create exhibition opportunities, create sales opportunities and build community,’ young designers are given not just an audience, but a platform for business too. Instead of struggling with obstacles on their own designers are enabled to share knowledge, experience and tackle problems collectively. While it is not the first time that designers have joined forces, it is the clubs’ determined focus on functioning as coalitions and their outward thinking that really sets them out from the norm. It also links to the notion of collectivism, which features heavily in Mpdclick’s future autumn/winter 11/12 trend.

(Image source: Flickr/Join Design Seattle)