DesignMeets: Design Can Save Us From Ourselves

Join us for another inspiring DesignMeets event where we'll dig into the concept of how design can save us from ourselves in a world increasingly shaped by technology. This event explores the core idea that designers, as "antennae of the race," possess a unique ability to anticipate and respond to societal shifts. In an era where many creatives fear displacement by technology, we'll examine the critical need to move beyond fear and become empowered, proactive agents of cultural change.

This conversation will be led by , grandson of the visionary Marshall McLuhan, whose work profoundly explored how media and technology shape human perception and society. Marshall McLuhan's insights, particularly on the "medium is the message," remain relevant today, especially in understanding the unforeseen consequences of technology on our culture. Andrew, a third-generation interpreter of this legacy, offers a modern lens on these ideas. He'll connect McLuhan's enduring insights to contemporary challenges such as AI, sustainability, and rapid cultural shifts. This isn't just a historical review; it's an exploration of how McLuhan's ideas can empower designers and creatives to regain agency in a rapidly evolving technological world.

As Marshall McLuhan once wrote, "The power of the arts to anticipate future social and technological developments, by a generation and more, has long been recognized."

Andrew McLuhan is a Canadian author, poet, and educator, and the founder of . As a grandson of media theorist Marshall McLuhan and son of Eric McLuhan, he works to continue their legacy by making media studies accessible through lectures, workshops, and teaching and writes '' on SubStack. He catalogued Marshall McLuhan’s annotated library and authored the book '' (Revelore Press, 2021). Andrew is dedicated to preserving his family's work and exploring the impacts of media on culture and technology.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

OCAD University, Experiential Learning Centre (3rd Floor), 115 McCaul Street, Toronto, Canada