A multidisciplinary design approach seeks to integrate the different skillsets into the design process. While it’s important to specialize in one area, a designer who has more to offer brings extra benefits. In the process of working with many different areas, the mid-century designers discovered new approaches to the same old problem. And by shifting into different angles, their understanding of the problem was enhanced. Ultimately, having a better understanding of the problem helps to find better solutions.
Design is a rapidly changing industry that celebrates creativity. As you keep learning about other areas of design, your knowledge will never get old. There are always the newest programs and trendiest platforms that you need to know so adaptation is essential. A multidisciplinary designer will have more skills in their toolbox to use.
I think one of the key skills to be a broad thinker is the ability to collaborate. I am also guilty of having a “tunnel vision” sometimes so by listening to other people’s perspectives, I am able to free from my own judgment. The creative process for many projects no longer follows the rigid pipeline of one person doing their own specialized works then transfers the project to the next person but to move forward together.
As we learn from the explains of multidisciplinary designers from the mid-century, genius ideas can only become reality through multiple skills. Multidisciplinary designers need to understand how diverse areas of expertise can come together to solve complex design problems.
