Speaking calendar/World Design Day
April 27th · Cultural Insight

World Design Day

Function vs. Aesthetics. This lesson explores the architecture of life and whether a beautiful object that doesn't work is better than a ugly object that is perfect.

SPEAKING LESSONB1 / B2Discussion · Vocabulary · Activities
01 / LET’S TALK

Speaking Discussion

  1. Does good design make you a better person?
  2. Should city planners be allowed to ban ugly buildings even if they are cheap to build?
  3. Why are we more likely to trust an app that looks beautiful?
  4. If you had to design a New chair for people who work 12 hours a day, what would it look like?
  5. Is minimalism a design style or a psychological defence against a messy world?
02 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Activity 1: The Urban Planner

The Task: Your city is depressing. Everyone is sad. You have $1 Million to design a mood shift. You can't use money for social services. You must use it for visual changes (e.g., lighting, paint, shapes). Pitch your happy city plan.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Debate

Justify in 30 seconds: 1. 'Form should follow function, and anything else is just a waste of space.' 2. 'Living in an ugly environment is a form of slow violence.' 3. 'The most 'designed' part of your life is actually your personality.'