Course detail

Contemporary Theory of Design

FaVU-STDESAcad. year: 2020/2021

The series of lectures and seminars introduces selected topics from the field of contemporary design theory with overlaps to other areas, such as philosophy, ecology, anthropology or media theory. It focuses on methodological issues in design and ways of designing in the context of current political and environmental challenges.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Mgr. Jan Zálešák, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The students will acquire basic overview of current challenges of the design theory and the context of the discipline. Thanks to the gained knowledge they will be able to reflect on contemporary design practice in a deeper and critical way.

Prerequisites

Basic orientation in contemporary design and the knowledge of English language.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures with seminar components. The lecture part will introduce the topics from the field of contemporary design theory to the participants of the course. The lectures will be complemented by students’ presentations dedicated to specific theoretical texts and by collective discussion.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Credits awarded based on the presence at the lectures and an essay written on the subject of one the discussed topics.

Course curriculum

1. What is „good design“? (Introduction to the discussion on changing criteria for assessing the value or quality of design in the context of the contemporary world)
2. Design and (un)sustainability (What is „sustainability? Is it possible to „solve“ the ecological crisis by design?)
3. Design for the future (How to „redesign“ the profession of a designer in the era of climate change and unstable political situation?)
4. Design for humans (What is „user-centered design“ or „human-centered design“ and what are their limits?)
5. Design without a designer (How does the notion of authorship in design changes and what is the potential of participative design practice?)
6. Design and community (What are the principles of „decolonial“ approach to design and how to design in the context of specific communities?)
7. Design as strategy (What is „strategic design“ and what is the potential of a designer working outside of the narrowly defined context of design?)
8. Design and power (What are the relations between design and political or economic power?)
9. Design as system (What is the relationship between material objects and (seemingly) immaterial systems?)
10. Design and speculation (How to speculate and create alternative scenarios of the future in the context of design?)

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The goal of the course is to introduce recent theory and methodology of design to the students and instigate them to deeper contextual thinking about design and to critical reflection of contemporary design practice or the profession of a designer.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance compulsory (80%).

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Type of course unit

Lecture

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Klára Peloušková

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Mgr. Jan Zálešák, Ph.D.