Conventionally, design is seen as a tool for “solving problems.” However, with the advancement of production and material abundance, design has evolved beyond mere problem-solving to focus largely on creating desire, where its primary value lies in possession. This aligns with Erich Fromm’s concept of the “mode of having” in his book To Have or to Be.

Fromm suggests that society often measures a person’s value by their possessions, implying that the more one has, the more valuable they are. However, if a person loses all their possessions, it does not diminish their inherent value. This is because true value is not determined by what one “has” but by what one “is,” which Fromm describes as the “mode of being.”

The “mode of being” refers to the intrinsic qualities and properties of a person that cannot be stripped away. The core difference between “having” and “being” is that “having” is external, while “being” is internal. The “mode of being” is nurtured through inner growth, introspection, contemplation, creative expression, and learning. Design has the potential to act as an agent or catalyst in enhancing this process.

Design has the power to profoundly impact the inner self by fostering environments, products, and experiences that promote personal growth, support emotional and mental well-being, encourage creative expression, and strengthen interpersonal connections. Through deliberate and thoughtful design, we can develop spaces and tools that nurture and reflect our deepest essence.