Abstract:

At the basis of the nature of human beings, one can identify, among the various characterising elements, connections, relationships and interdependence between facts and ideas, which concern the physical, virtual and digital spheres. The former is interrelated to tangible relationships which can be considered as primordial to human nature and traceable to the use of the five senses. They are figuratively at the base of an imaginary pyramid of connections (individual/individual, individual/element, individual/object). The latter is a synthetic interpretation of the former, obtained through stimuli different from the canonically physical ones; they allow to amplify the possibilities of experience within new simulated spaces, through the use of different technologies. Going back to the 'pyramid of connections', they are on a higher level than the physical ones, being their derivation and implementation (individual/technology). Finally, digital connections are the tip of the pyramid, being, in turn, a consequence of virtual ones.

The need to establish continuous links has led to a dematerialisation of these relationships, which have evolved into new communication and interaction possibilities: social networks and an exhausting search for information are cited, but also the sensory enhancement and transformation of the individual. The digital world appears to be an area with a great deal of scope for development and innovation in the near future; associated with it are new technologies for interaction, control and monitoring, which establish connections that do not consider the individual as one of the actors and thus create new possibilities. Innovative areas of connection come into play, such as between technology/technology, where the presence of an individual, in all its aspects, is no longer essential in terms of design, reasoning and knowledge.

Through an examination of issues related to current transitions and how they are transforming society, and considering examples such as Industry 5.0 and digital infrastructures (i.e. blockchain and development frameworks), the paper aims to highlight how the figure of the designer must necessarily evolve and update the skills in order to respond to emerging issues.

Keywords:

Transdisciplinarity, designer, transition, technology, skills.