https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0101-8117
mete (v.)
‘to allot’, Old English metan (West Saxon mæton), ‘to measure, ascertain the dimension or quantity of; measure out; compare; estimate the greatness of value of’ (class V strong verb; past tense mæt, past participle meten), from Proto-Germanic *metana ‘to measure’ (source also of Old Saxon metan, Old Frisian, Old Norse meta, Dutch meten, Old High German mezzan, German messen, Gothic mitan ‘to measure’), from PIE root *med- ‘take appropriate measures’. Meaning ‘distribute or apportion by measure’ is from c. 1300 and is the surviving sense, used now exclusively with out. Related: Meted; meting.
In an epoch marked by the ominous spectre of an impending ecological collapse, designers stand as both makers and strategists, grappling with a subtle but key question: What must be done with the very concept of measurement as world systems (social, economic and technical) place further stress on the ecological? This provocation is not merely an academic exercise but a challenge for design to explore its conventional boundaries and reconfigure the notion of measurement to develop a transformative response.
Design, as a dynamic and multifaceted discipline, intricately weaves non-representational and representational practices into its very fabric. The current juncture, however, thrusts these practices into a spotlight they have never shared before – a spotlight whose intensity is amplified by the looming climate crisis. Against this backdrop, designers must embark on a daring journey to reimagine measurement not as a passive observer but as an active catalyst for change.
For decades, measurement has been a cornerstone of representational practices within design. It has assumed the role of an arbiter of objectivity, furnishing a veneer of scientific authority to decision-making. Yet, as climate change’s ramifications burgeon beyond simplistic quantification, the question arises: Can designers continue tethering themselves solely to the strictures of numerical evaluation? Is it conceivable for the act of measurement to transcend its traditional boundaries, encompassing the intricate interplay of ecosystems, the profound emotional toll of environmental upheaval, and the multidimensional aspects of human experience?
Conversely, the avenue of non-representational practices in design holds the promise of experiential insight. This approach accentuates the palpable – such as the touch of materials, the resonance of stories, and the reverberation of emotions. However, in the context of an impending climate catastrophe, which manifests as a global phenomenon, the limitations of localised perspectives come starkly into view. Can designers rely solely on the poignant narratives of the here and now to combat an ecological crisis that transcends borders and threatens the very existence of our planet? How can the design narrative embrace the scale and urgency of the climate challenge while preserving its sensitivity to local contexts and diverse experiences?
This nexus between representational and non-representational paradigms presents designers with the impetus to reconceptualise measurement – a call to action that extends beyond the quantitative to encompass the qualitative, beyond the empirical to include the ethereal. Measurement, in its renewed form, becomes a prism refracting the myriad facets of the climate catastrophe – capturing the sorrow and resilience of affected communities, translating ecological interconnectedness into tangible insights, and encapsulating the intricate dance between humans and their surroundings.
This provocation asks for design to the role of measurement in design’s response to the climate crisis. By acknowledging the intricate interplay between non-representational and representational practices, design is in a unique position to delve into the transformative potential of measurement as a bridge between the experiential and the empirical. Designers are asked to navigate this complex terrain and think again about measurement – a method that not only communicates scientific rigour but also resonates with lived experiences.
As designers realign their teaching, research and organisational strategies towards regenerative futures, they have the opportunity to realign measurement from an instrument of detachment to a conduit of engagement. The climate catastrophe demands a recalibration of what is good, fair and worthwhile – one that transcends mere numbers to embrace the intricate balance of ecological health, social equity, and economic stability. In crafting this new narrative of measurement, designers have the chance to foster a symbiotic relationship between the tangible and the intangible, to shepherd a future where empirical insights coalesce with experiential truths, and to develop tactics and strategies that mitigate against collapse and towards regeneration.