Exploring the concept of “design futures” in relation to design’s heterogeneous nature, asking which and whose knowledges are at stake in current design practices.
The “future”—as a rhetorical device and as an orientation in practice—permeates contemporary design. The temporality implied by this term may contradict other prevalent conceptions of design, such as design as a discipline traditionally and (stereo)typically preoccupied with form, materials, and space.
This lecture explores design in terms of temporality and futurity in order to expose and explore the heterogeneous and expanding nature of design. Posing the question of which and whose knowledges are at stake in design, it dives into the critical studies and practices necessary for the development of the discipline and beyond—taking into consideration “the design turn” i.e. the incorporation of design principles into other disciplines and multiple sectors of society.
Ramia Mazé (she/her) is a design researcher focusing on participatory, critical, and politically engaged design practices, “research through design,” and feminist epistemologies. A designer and architect by training, she also holds a Ph.D. in Interaction Design. She has led, published, and exhibited widely through major practice-based design research projects. She is Professor in Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability at the University of the Arts London in England. Previously, she was a professor and Head of Education in the Department of Design at Aalto University in Finland, and prior to that, she worked at Konstfack, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, D! Designfakulteten, and the Interactive Institute in Sweden.
REGISTER HEREThis lecture is part of Design Educators* Unite!—a lecture series for design teachers, researchers, and students that shares feminist practices from within.
The lecture series is accessible through a sliding-scale price structure:
- Solidarity: CHF 280
- Standard: CHF 140
- Student: CHF 70
- BIPoC+Student: CHF 35
If you can afford it, please consider paying the solidarity price to support Futuress’ free learning and publishing program. For students with limited finances, particularly those self-identifying as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and majority world, we offer a BIPOC+ student price. We trust your honesty and do not require proof of self-identification for enrollment.
For institutions keen on facilitating their students’ and staff’s participation, we provide discounted passes. Should your institution express interest please contact admin@futuress.org. We are more than happy to tailor an offer to your specific needs.
By registering for this lecture series, you not only enter a transnational community centered around design politics, but you also support the work of commissioning, editing, and publishing original counter-narratives, and help to finance our free online learning program.
Feb 22 | 6 pm CET – special free event
Roundtable Discussion
Navigating the Past, Envisioning the Future: Unearthing Feminist and Decolonial Threads in Design Education
with Cherrypye (she/her) Creator, Educator & Researcher
Clara Meliande (she/her) Designer, Researcher & Educator
and Josefina Vidal (she/her) Designer & Researcher
Mar 21 | 6 pm CET
Lecture
Otherwise Realities: Communal Care, Decolonization, and The Design School
with Layla Gharib (she/her)
Designer, Researcher & Educator
Apr 11 | 6 pm CEST
Lecture
Queering Design: Moving Towards Emergent Practices
with Sloan Leo Cowan (they/he)
Community Designer, Facilitator & Educator
May 2 | 6 pm CEST
Lecture
Social Design Practices: From the Popular Neighborhoods to the Faculty of Design
with Giuliana Córdoba (she/none)
and Emilia Odriozola (she/her)
from the Student Movement Auge FADU
May 23 | 6 pm CEST
Lecture
Crip Spacetime and Utopias of Care
with Nina Mühlemann (they/none)
Artist & Disability Scholar
June 6 | 6 pm CEST
Lecture
Feminist Killjoy Design Pedagogy: On Emphasizing Joy
with Elizabeth Chin (she/her)
Anthropologist & Ethnographer
June 13 | 6 pm CEST
Lecture
Design and Other Ways of Knowing
Ramia Mazé (she/her)
Design Researcher
June 27 | 6 pm CEST
Lecture
Mocha Celis: We Dare to Build the World We Want to Live In
with Francisco Quiñones Cuartas (she/he)
and Virginia Silveira (she/her)
from Travesti-Trans Non-binary Popular High School Mocha Celis
