Question: “I want to know what you foresee happening in our industry. Do you think the foundations will always stay the same and we’ll just integrate more touchpoints as digital and environmental design grow? Or do you think it will evolve entirely?” – Jesse, 34

Answer: Before Steinweiss designed the first album cover, all albums came in plain brown wrappers. He convinced management that it would be more exciting to promote artwork on the wrappers and that it would reveal the mood and feeling of the music for the audience unsure of what they were purchasing. Sales jumped 894 per cent. It was 1938. Steinweiss was 24-years-old.

Jesse, the only foundations design have ever aspired to is to help humans communicate better and create a meaningful experiences with the world around us. Seventy-five years ago this was about producing art on a mass scale and wrapping it around a seven-inch record. Now it’s about producing a brand that works on a Bandcamp page and promo for Instagram.

It’s true that we’re on the brink of an information revolution. Facebook is hosting instant live feeds. Periscope allows you to create live footage of every waking moment. Our experiences are becoming increasingly virtual, and yet remain as powerful as ever. But whatever it is that humans are trying to do here, design will aspire to do the same thing: make it meaningful.

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Dizzee Askall will be delivering a weekly lowdown on your design-related dilemmas. If you’re in need of advice or answers, send your questions to askdizzee@sexdrugshelvetica.com