Debate: Design and Personalisation: does it empower or exploit?

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We tend to think choice is good, making us feel in control and defining our personalities — I'm a skinny latte person, you're an espresso. We can personalize clothes and shoes on line, personal trainers devise individual fitness plans and doctors may be able to tailor therapy to physical type. Futurologists predict that we will soon be able to personalize possessions and print them out on a 3D printer. But is there a downside? Should public health provision offer choice for individuals if that lessens provision for all? Using the internet, we may like to personalize our browser, but resent receiving personalized advertising. And 3D printing may sometimes result in crimes against good taste and design but, worse, against humanity if people download and print out weapon parts. Who is in charge of this personalization? Is it always based on sound assumptions? And do its positive consequences outweigh negative ones? SPEAKERS: >> Professor Tom Fisher, Research Coordinator for the School of Art and Design, NTU >> Professor Tony Kent, Professor of Fashion Marketing, NTU >> Dr Sarah Kettley, Senior Lecturer, Product Design, NTU >> Dr Matt Sinclair, Lecturer, Loughborough University; founder Matt Sinclair Design,specialising in product and brand experiences in consumer and professional electronics. If you would like to attend please email boningtongallery@ntu.ac.uk to register your attendance.