Block Seminar Design Theory 5th semester

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The module takes place over 1 week, from 6.9.21 to 10.9.21, from Monday to Friday, 9.00-17.00 in room 5H02 & online.

Topic

Design and Technology share a similar destiny: imbued with the roles of solving problems, characterised by an expectation that they can change any situation for the better.
But what if this is an illusion?

With the society at large becoming more aware of issues related to top-down decisions and techno-centric solutions such as large-scale surveillance, ecological dooms and oppression of civic rights, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to rethink the place of design and technology.
What if we should reboot our mindset for design methods and technological tools to become truly inclusive?

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The class will be structured around discussions, lectures, presentations of film and literature materials and in-class exercises.

Deliverables

• Assignment 0 (for Monday 6.9)
  • Read "Inventing the Expert. Technological Literacy as Social Currency" (pp.9-32) by Carolyn Marvin (attached in email and linked in Literature section below)
    
    
• Assignment 1 (for Tuesday 17.9)
  • Watch La Jetée (Chris Marker, 1962, 28')Watch artist Sanford Bigger's presentation Moon Medicine (2016 - first half mostly)
  • Answer with 1-2 paragraphs the question: What do you fear?
  • Find 1 -or 2 design projects that has for you all the qualities you ambition for yourself (you will present them the next morning with 1 - 2 sentences each) - send by email
    
  • Read Indigenous Protocol and Artificial Intelligence (read intro + pick one of the case studies to browse further) - write one paragraph about what your impressions, remarks (what concept is new to you, inspiring aspects, positions you disagree with, etc..) - send by email
    
    
• Assignment 2 (for Wednesday 28.9): 
  • Reading Read 2 papers (see Literature references below) + one optional.
    Provide response notes to the papers: short remarks should be written on papers provided that capture learning points and possible critiques . See Literature section for of the papers .- send by email

• Final Work: The format and platform of the final outcome is decided together with the students- it will be an online representation of your reboot ideas (possibly 1-page website, written essay, video, or use of hosting platform such as SnapChat, written essayTikTok, filmed performance, games, new object). Preferably individual work (the works can be in connection with one another). Your work needs to be in adequation adequacy with the intention and the process. The collection of works from each student will constitute together an online exhibition.
  • +150 words to give context to the piece.
  • 3-5 mn presentation : why you made it, how it relates to the topic
  • reboot ideas: design education, the notion of the future, expanding the design field, exploring the perception of design in the world, specific technologies/designs, biases and stereotypes, fostering inclusiveness and equity, opportunities of undesign/untechnologize. Ask yourself the question of 'what you would like to reboot' (in your studies, life, design field, in societal conventions, etc..), respond to the proposals of the papers you read (for instance, about undesigning, or considering unconventional ways to address a topic), go back to the initial questions at the beginning of the week (what would you do differently in your studies?), etc.... The final assignment is a statement or positioning or response to those provocative questions
  • the ideas could represent your position on a topic above or on a case study discussed in class, your new proposal, or your interpretation of an issue
  • potential audience: zett, population of zhdk, design/tech communities, social media users
  Final presentation at Pavillon Le Corbusier pursuit.stars.front. Meeting at 12.50 in front of the Pavillon. (Beer afterwards). 
  • other people in the design fields
  • upload online your statement and send me as well a hard copy via email / wetransfer

• Final presentation on Zoom, ideally from a location related to your topic (it can be recorded ahead of the class session and you introduce the video in class).
  Final outcomes presented by the students are collected on thisone page.

Expectations and Gradings

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Any assignment that remains unfulfilled receives a failing grade.  

Timetable