Psychological Death & Transformative Design

I once watched a video of Jordan Peterson, a well-known psychologist, author, and commentator. He said that, in theory, a perfect balance of psychological death might make us immortal. An optimal rate of renewal, without breaking, might do it.

"Transformation by design or by disaster."

This idea is powerful.

It says change is unavoidable, inevitable, bound to happen. The choice is whether it is intentional (by design) or reactive (by disaster).

It shouts the need for urgent, proactive change.

We are all creators in our life.

We are all designers of our life.

Designers aren't mythical creatures. You shape your world daily, crafting solutions and experiences. Whether you know it or not, you're one of us - a creator, an innovator, a designer. With more or less intention, so to say. What we are trying to work on here is how intentionally you’re doing it.

And this is what "Transformation by design or by disaster" is all about.

How intentional are we, when we create new things?
How intentional are we, when we change or fix things?
How do we maintain systems, objects, relationships around us?
How do we approach the inevitability of change?

When you think about times where you created something new, how did you approached this? Does this happen often? — Maybe some times, but not every day… unless you’re an inventor. In contrast to that: Every day, we are bound to the forces of transformation.

Everything changes around us.
Entropy is omnipresent.

Entropy describes the natural trend for systems to move toward disorder. This applies to physical, social, or conceptual systems unless energy is added to maintain order. For example, if you don’t tidy a room, it will become messy over time, reflecting an increase in entropy.

The true power of intentional transformation comes into play here. Harnessing chaos, intentional transformation crafts purpose from disorder. It channels entropy's wild energy to forge messages, shape intentions, and spark solutions.
Or all of them together.

This deliberate alchemy turns randomness into meaningful impact.

The Archetype of Death, Rebirth and Transformation as a Natural Process

Transformation is bound to happen. Transformation is nature’s own rhythm.

Growth and decay, birth and death—it’s the cycle that everything follows. Nothing stays the same for long. The tree sheds its leaves, the tides ebb and flow, and every living thing follows its course from birth to death. Transformation is change that cuts deep, shifting the roots of things.

For true transformation, you must be willing to clear out what no longer serves, to cut down the old branches so new ones can grow. This process takes courage. Make space for what’s next, for what’s needed.

a cement block with a picture of a man on it — Unsplash - Jordan Peterson

I once watched a video of Jordan Peterson, a well-known psychologist, author, and commentator. He said that, in theory, a perfect balance of psychological death might make us immortal. An optimal rate of renewal, without breaking, might do it.

It's an interesting thought. A life where the self sheds its worn-out layers.

So what is psychological death? It’s the end of a self—a closing of the doors to outdated beliefs, to identities that no longer fit. Saying bye bye to an old version of yourself.

And that brings us to the archetype itself: The Death card in tarot captures this. It’s a card people fear. It doesn’t signify the violent death, not entirely. It signifies the chance to begin again, to rebuild something fresh. In tarot, death is a marker of change—a necessary closing of one chapter so the next can be written.

Egyptian tarot card held in a hand with purple backdrop — The death Egyptian tarot card

Our initial reaction to death reflects our misguided view of it. Death is natural and in some cultures celebrated. It is not labeled as an “end”, but a “transition” or “beginning".

"For every transformation, death has to happen. The caterpillar has to let go of being a caterpillar, so it can transform into a butterfly."

Psychological death operates in a similar way. It's a letting go of who we’ve been so we can step into who we might become.

In the end, it’s about being willing to face that loss of familiarity. Because that’s where growth happens. Real change needs a cycle of psychological death. It requires a willingness to let go of the past. Only then can the future take shape.

Learn more about letting go of old versions of you in “The Power of Letting Go”

And today I want to introduce the topic of Transformation Design

Transformation in design works the same way.

We have to let go of old systems, dismantling the structures that keep us tied to outdated ways. In that clearing, new ideas find space to root and grow. Innovation needs room to breathe, and the old must make way for the new.

Transformation Design

Transformationsdesign Book cover by Bernd sommer and Harald Welzer — Transformationsdesign Book

First, strip it down. Start with Reduction Culture. It’s about making less feel like more. Design things that last, things that need little and waste less. Imagine a world where we buy once, use often, and hold onto things not for their trend but for their worth. A culture of less contracts value, like contracted carbon molecules form a diamond.

Then, look at the bigger picture. Societal Shift is where transformation digs deeper. Our vision transcends mere sales. We're reshaping lifestyles, transforming daily routines, and redefining what's possible. This isn't economic exchange; it's a cultural awakening.

Design that pulls people together, that nudges them toward something better. A product that does more than it says on the box, guiding people into a life that’s connected, sustainable, whole. It’s the kind of design that cares about the hands it ends up in.

Finally, think of the whole, not just the part. Systems Thinking is what ties it all together. Every object, every process has a ripple. Redesign those systems with clear eyes. Know how they use resources, shape interactions, and move through the economy. When you build with a view of the whole, you’re not just making things. You’re creating a way of life, something that speaks to the way people connect, use, and share. For more on the topic of System design, read "You’ve Built Success—Now it’s Time To build Freedom"

This is transformation design: it's pared down and purposeful. It's built for something bigger than itself.

Transformation Design in Practice: The Water Filtration Prototype

A good example of transformation design is my first prototype for my bachelor thesis in Industrial Design.

My design brief was as followed:

“Create a water filtration system that seamlessly integrates both alternative, subtle attributes and scientifically proven filtration methods. The design should successfully merge practical functionality with modern aesthetics while incorporating elements of common sense and holistic approaches to water purification."

In ancient times, water was revered. Ancient architects crafted temples of breathtaking ingenuity. These sacred spaces, marvels of design and geometry, stood as tributes to divine worship. Their sophisticated structures exemplified the brilliance of civilizations past.

Ancient cultures built solid, lasting structures to house the sacred water. It showed their deep respect and gratitude for this vital element. The temple's perfect layout gave water the space it deserved. This was my motivation to build something that acts as an honoring, as well as a functional product.

The project aimed to create a unique water filtration system. It selected essential functions and materials carefully. The goal was to build more than a product. It sought to create a modern water temple for homes, enhancing the experience of drinking water.

My thesis project resulted in a design with 3D models, images, and videos. However, I couldn't make a prototype due to time limits. Still, the digital models showcased the idea.

One year later, I was volunteering and pioneering on a friends outdoor camp on São Miguel, Azores. Through the inspiration of a builder friend who was volunteering too, I decided to build the first functioning prototype of this filtration system with zero budget. All I used to construct it was the elements around it, and that was encapsulating the spirit of the transformation design approach.

Here is the full video of my Water Filtration Protoype on my Instagram Page:

You see that nautilus shell at the end, and how the water runs through?

It’s just one part of the prototype, but a strong representation of what transformation design is about.

Here’s how:

Biomimicry:

The nautilus is a functional design inspired by nature’s own engineering. With its spiral form it creates a natural swirl, channeling water in a controlled, smooth motion.

By adding this form to the filtration system, we are using nature's blueprint. It will help with the swirling that happens in free-flowing water in nature. The shell's shape guides the water. This improves filtration without needing machines. This is biomimicry in action—learning from natural patterns to solve human challenges.

Elemental Connection and Intentional Design:

The choice to use natural materials, like the shell and its surroundings, adds to the transformation. We're using natural elements that echo the surroundings. We will avoid artificial materials. This approach harmonizes with the landscape, creating a seamless blend of form and function. It creates a product that blends with its surroundings. It taps into local resources in a way that honors them. The design is thus both functional and mindful.

Using Natural Forces:

Water flow is driven by gravity and shaped by the nautilus-inspired structure. Materials and forces guide this approach, embracing transformation design. It uses innate qualities, not artificial functions. It seeks elegant solutions that align with nature..

The design works with gravity and the spiral path of the shell. This is a low-tech solution that prioritizes sustainability, reducing energy input and complexity.

Transform Your Life

Transformation is movement.

Transformation is power in fluidity.

It reaches into the mind and soul. Just as you strip away what’s unnecessary in our physical world, we can peel back layers in ourselves too. Call it progression in psychological development, mastery in the spiritual realm or just designing a product that is meant to last. This is Transformation—the shedding of what no longer serves us, is unnecessary, is harming the environment, has better and longer lasting alternatives, or is of beliefs and fears that keep us small.

When you grow, you take pieces of the world around you, fit them into place, build something whole. Like a dance with nature’s own intelligence, following a pattern older than any of us. Ancient. You’re not forcing change; you’re aligning with something greater. Every step of growth, every truth you face, you’re clearing space for something real to emerge.

In this way, the universe works through us, helping us become what we’re meant to be. It’s not always gentle, but it’s always true. Transformation asks us to take part in our own evolution—to work with life, not against it.

And in doing so, we grow stronger, fuller, and more connected to everything that moves around us.

This is the quiet, steady power of transformation: clearing, building, becoming.

Talk to you next week,

kiss kiss,
Tarkan