Not just from the centre - multiple voices in design

Political and economic terms such as ‘advanced, ‘emerging’ and ‘developing’ divide ‘us’ into the ones who are better and the ones who are not ‘good enough’, the ones who are always right and are the experts, and the ones who have to learn from the West and ‘have to catch up’. This also applies to design practice, research and education. Local innovation, creativity and solutions are often stifled by the influence of external experts and this impacts the long-term practice and creative confidence of local designers.

The aim of the track is to debate:

• the perspectives and solutions of designers from the ‘emerging’ design societies for their local communities and economies;
• the fact that lack of resources can trigger creativity, innovation and solutions;
• local values, traditions, practices and mindsets as catalysts for design solutions towards changing economic and social environment;
• design for happiness and emotional intelligence as an inclusive resource for a new form of well-being and welfare.

The track welcomes contributions around the broad theme of design research, education and practice from outside of the centre.

The topics include but are not limited to:

• Local or regional design for a diverse and ecologically sound future;
• Design history and case studies on culturally-situated design practice or education;
• Local values, traditions, practices and mindsets as influence of design solutions and education;
• Culturally-situated practice as design confidence;
• Happiness and emotional intelligence as a key factor for well-being in an inclusive society;
• Design practice, research and education “behind the curtain” or “in the margins”.