The magic of circles and importance of design
- By Eugene Clark
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, July 25, 2013
In ancient China, the circle was an important cultural symbol. It represents harmony, the balance of the yin and yang and the duality of nature, which is an essential part of Daoist and Chinese medical philosophies. For centuries, the circle has influenced scores of Chinese philosophers, scholars and literary figures.
I have been similarly impressed with the design of Chinese banquet rooms with their circular tables. There is something about round tables that encourages and makes it easy for everyone to participate and collaborate. It is in part due to the fact that at a round table, people can see each other. Each person is equidistant from the center of the table and each gets a turn as the table rotates toward them.
As revealed by modern research, there is considerable intelligence behind ancient customs and designs. For example, a Canadian research from The University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business has found that round tables promoted collaboration and cooperation. This research is also consistent with classroom engagement research showing that classroom's designs influence the levels of interaction and engagement among students. For example, students are more engaged and may retain more information when the classroom is not set up in a lecture style mode, but instead has clusters of students at small tables or with the students sitting in a circle or circles. A significant environmental factor in these higher retention rates was the presence of a physical environment, which promoted discussion and interaction with participants.
Circles are important and should not be taken for granted. Let us not take good designs for granted. Let us appreciate it when we see it and seek to incorporate good designs in everything we do, whether that be in our lives, clothes, houses, streets, cities, businesses, educational institutions, or laws and legal systems. In turn, good designs will help promote the values and sustain the culture that will make the world a better place.
The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/eugeneclark.htm
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)