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Designing With The Challenges Of The Anthropocene
No full textThe Anthropocene is a concept that has been stimulating several initiatives among theorists and practitioners in Design. This paper explores how Design has been coping with this concept. It builds from a literature review to elaborate three challenges with themes related to the Anthropocene. They are: unsettling Modernity; noticing neglected multiplicity and creating new imaginaries. We share 12 projects related to these challenges were selected. The projects were analyzed considering how they address the theme they were attached to, and how they elaborate tactics and mechanisms to cope with the challenges. Based on such analyzes, the paper presents a matrix on how the relation between the themes, tactics, and mechanism can be considered. Finally, it attempts to suggest a means for mapping the situation regarding the relation between design and Anthropocene. The paper aimed at contributing to the discussion on design\u27s role in these turbulent times
Expecting the unexpected: A review of surprise in design processes
No full textSurprise is integral to driving creativity and innovation in design. While design research has mainly adopted a product-centered perspective to explore surprise as an emotional user response, the intricate involvement of surprise in the design process itself remains underexplored. Studies in cognitive psychology show that a comprehensive understanding of surprise must also encompass its detection, management, potential for errors, and influence on the behavior of individuals and groups. On this basis, this paper contributes a state-of-the-art literature review of two decades of design research to explore the complex functions of surprise in design processes. The paper discusses key emergent themes, including the continued relevance of Schön’s work, surprise-related error, the entwinement of process and product, and surprise in creativity support tools (CSTs). The paper ends by suggesting future research to enhance our limited understanding of the functions of surprise in design processes
Asset based architectural design with a systemic perspective in vulnerable community- participatory action research in Iraq Bersive 2 refugee camp
No full textVulnerable communities often lack of basic housing and facilities. However, with more understanding, they not only face housing problem but also with social, economic, environmental, political issues and so on. Traditional building approach often focuses on material needs while the underlying causes could be neglected. In fact, vulnerability is often more in the intangibles: relationships with self, others and environment. With this regard, how could designers develop efficient systemic design strategies responding to the complexity of social systems and empower vulnerable groups to recognize themselves as interrelated actors in community development? Asset based design approach under the community capital framework is an alternative method that possible to provide us with a systemic perspective in community development. In this study, asset based approach is adopted under a systemic perspective for architectural design and construction in Iraq Bersive 2 refugee camp as participatory action research to evaluate the social and material outcome
Qualitative mapping and design strategies for taking care of marginal areas.
No full textThe study targets the municipality of Quero Vas (Belluno, Italia), an area characterized by historical heritage and demographic decline. Employing a qualitative mapping from Raffaella Fagnoni methodology (Traces, Stories, Actions, Events, Imaginary) the researchers identified that the environmental heritage is one of the main strategic local contexts on which the designers can operate. This heritage is locally considered by two perspectives: the governance, committed to regeneration, frames the landscape as a resource for economic growth through tourism; the communities of hikers and climbers, frame the landscape as a resource for sharing experiences. The two perspectives currently don’t engage citizens, who are excluded from a relationship with both. In this context of territorial design and marginal area enhancement, the study proposes a project centered on providing cultural enrichment for citizens. It aims to bridge the gap between economic and recreational values while promoting the collective care and preservation of the territory
More-than-human Design and AI: Exploring the Space between Theory and Practice
No full textWhile design is turning to more-than-human (MTH) approaches, integrating posthumanist theory into design practices remains challenging. We argue that making MTH thinking “actionable” demands moving beyond the idea that there is a gap to bridge. Instead, we propose that the space between theory and practice could offer an interesting starting point for experimentation. Exploring that liminal space, we designed two generative AI tools – Oblique and MoTH. Using ChatGPT-4, these tools create design strategies based on diverse MTH texts. Reflecting on the process of making and using these tools, we offer two contributions: First, we explain how designers can use the tools (and create their own variants) to walk through design concepts from multiple perspectives. Then, we provide a critical discussion on the opportunities and limitations of using AI for MTH design, including how to situate MTH knowledge(s) and avoid extractivist relations
Shaping Public Sector Digital Transformation through Design. Translation approaches on training programs as multi-stakeholder ecosystems
No full textIn the evolving landscape of public sector digital transformation, the integration of design thinking and stakeholder engagement presents a pressing challenge and a valuable opportunity. As a response to this challenge, there is a growing interest in the implementation of training programs within the theoretical framework of translational practices. This study adopts an organisational lens and an analytical framework to look into three instances of design translation in multi-stakeholder ecosystems. Drawing insights from a three-year exploration, it examines the dynamics within two ecosystems: the multidisciplinary and multi-operational partners responsible for designing and executing the training program, and the program participants. By investigating these instances, this study sheds light on favourable or hindering circumstances in the transition of design to the public sector digital transformation within collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments
Cultural transition by digital technologies: invasion or empowerment?
No full textWith the growing influence of digital transformation on global communities, critically examining the interaction between digital technologies and traditional cultures is becoming more pressing, especially in minority groups. This paper explores the complex relationships between digital technologies and cultural landscape in Eastern Tibet based on a 34-day ethnography study by photographic materials from 28 counties and cities. Through looking into these visual materials, also including observations and interviews, the tension surrounding commercialization, public relations, creative expressions, and the environment are uncovered. We discuss the unintended and pervasive consequences of modernization, including cultural homogenization and the rise of individualism, imagining possible future ways and resilient future.The paper emphasized the significant role of design in shaping these outcomes and advocates for a more inclusive and collective approach to design practices. By understanding and highlighting these dynamics, this paper aims to provide guidance to designers in promoting a resilient and sustainable digital transformation
Design for serene textile experiences: A toolkit
No full textSerenity plays a pivotal role in human well-being, as it fosters an enduring sense of peace and calmness. Everyday textile artifacts, with their qualities of softness, malleability, and flexibility, hold the capacity to greatly enhance serenity in user experiences. Drawing from the foundation of materials experience and material-driven design, this paper introduces a design toolkit aimed at harnessing the potential of textiles in creating serene experiences. The toolkit was refined through two exploratory workshops involving design professionals from both academic and industrial backgrounds. By emphasizing the interplay of form, material, and time in textile experiences, this toolkit offers a vocabulary and set of techniques for discussing and designing for serene textile experiences across different material and time scales. We further explore avenues for the toolkit\u27s employment, expansion, and adaptation for use in a wide array of material-driven design project
