At the beginning of the “Business as Unusual” course, I was somewhat uncertain about what to expect, but gradually, the subject captivated me. The course offers insights that go beyond conventional thinking about business and provides both a philosophical perspective and concrete inspiration for information services design, which is the field I am studying. I take notes on each topic as we go along and write blog articles where I attempt to capture the ideas from my own perspective (Czech version of Business as Unusual and English version Business as Unusual – the English version is still a work in progress).
I truly perceive the course as “business as unusual” – as a designer, I appreciate the emphasis on viewing business in a broader context rather than merely as a path to financial gain. Topics such as business within planetary boundaries, the ecological dimension, and designing business models with a positive impact are incredibly valuable and inspiring to me. The topic of economic diversity and BMC theory also helps me understand business as a complex design space with many layers, from metaphors to concrete tools, and to ecological and social dimensions.
In addition, I am currently working on a project focused on the ontology of design, and I feel that the ideas from this course have provided me with new perspectives, especially regarding the use of metaphors and the concept of finiteness in business.
The course thus meets my initial expectations: I anticipated an inspirational space that would open up new perspectives and help me see business as a means for change and creativity. The course offers examples and tools that I may one day use to create services that are not only beneficial for users but also positively influence ecological balance and social values.
With this text, I have attempted to answer – albeit implicitly – the questions that are crucial for reflecting on the Business as Unusual course [1]:
- How the progression from “idea-ness” (Module 1), through modelling and metaphors (Module 2), to environmental relationships (Module 3) has met or altered your ideas
- Questions that have emerged for you – both those that excite and those that trouble you
- Areas where you feel your perspective has shifted or where you feel you’re experiencing productive tension
Sources
- Mesarčík, P., & Zbiejczuk Suchá, L. (2024). DESB51 Business as Unusual [Lectures and study materials]. Masaryk University.