design as politics / politics as design

Guest Lecture Series 2012
Department of Design History and Theory

Design is mainly understood as the activity of producing more or less useful artefacts, but not necessarily as a political activity. The design of an artefact, however, is always also a political decision about how people should live, communicate or behave. Furthermore, design can be used as a political instrument in the form of activism, or as a medium to discuss and dream about possible or better futures. Politics itself can also be understood as a form of design, since it involves planning, making decisions and devising laws. The material dimension of politics and the political dimension of artefacts are explored through a series of lectures with international guests.

Upcoming Events:

22. Mai: Stephen Duncombe, New York University
The Art of Activism: Protest Politics as an Aesthetic Practice

06. Juni: Stefana Broadbent, University College London
Communication, Power and Trust

20. Juni: Ezio Manzini, Politecnico di Milano
The War of Times and Places: How Social Innovation is Generating Disruptive Qualities and what Designers can do