Designing Tomorrow: Navigating Pace Layering for Sustainable Interaction Systems

Pace Layers is a concept that Steward Brand provides. There are six significant levels of pace and size to the working structure, and how it works in a relatively robust and adaptable competitive system matters. The outer layer changes the fastest, while the inner layer usually changes slower. It starts with fashion/art, commerce, infrastructure, Government, culture, and nature. While each layer could be a complete system on its own, the pace in each layer is different and stable.

By understanding the concept of Pace Layering, interaction designers should understand the importance of prioritizing in a design system. There is always a possibility of changes in a system, but we need to consider that some elements could change quickly, like fashion, while other elements are not suitable for change quickly, like Government. When designers realize the concept, it is easier to design a much more stable and resilient system over time.