COVID-19 changed professionals

COVID-19 changed users, the use of technology and now also seems to have changed the daily practice of professionals.

For example, professionals are commuting less and working more from home. As our homes are not typically set-up as appropriate working places, physio therapists are seeing an increase in patients with complaints, such as in neck and shoulder, as a result from working at home. Luckily, professionals have ways to address this (see here for tips in Dutch). The pandemic also seems to have accelerated the offering of digital and remote solutions, such as tele-physio involving guided online consults and physical exercise.

Due to the rapid shift towards on-line teaching in Corona times, there has also been a major change for professionals in education, as affecting their physical role and social interactions with students.

The pandemic is also redefining the position of the designer, according to the results of a survey from BNO and Stedelijk about the implications of the Corona crisis for designers in The Netherlands. Creative professionals have been greatly affected by the pandemic, but Dutch designers also see themselves as part of the solution.

More interesting results from the questionnaire on which the creative professionals mostly agreed upon:

• The coronavirus and the lockdown negatively affected productivity

• Work has changed in content since the lockdown

• Due to the lockdown, the possibility to make physical work is limited, so there is a shift in producing more digitally

• There is an increased acknowledgement of their work

• Because the pandemic is a collective problem, there is a sense of solidarity in the professional sector

Most interestingly is that the professionals also believe that in these times, designers can play an important role in creating solidarity and connectivity.

Co-Well agrees!