ART 2370 HISTORY OF DESIGN
CAL STATE LA
Fall 24
WED 6:00PM—8:45PM
FA 321
ASSIGNMENT 02
DESIGN
Decolonising Design Education: School of
Departure,
No. 1
by the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation and Gudskul.PURPOSE
The purpose of this assignment is for you to think critically about Design methods, education, and history. You will learn to develop an informed opinion on the importance of deconstructing desginerly ways of operating and what happens when design philosophies are brewed in cultural settings.
TASK
Present your unique perspective in a fearless fashion by responding to questions listed for each reading. Some responses are written, other are more visual in nature. Come prepared for a meaningful discussion of your opinions for the next class. After a discussion of the readings, we will take part in a participatory design activity that will influence the way you think about what it means to be a ‘collective’.
Each one of you will participate in answering one or more questions. You will be evaluated for this assignment based on you response and participation in the classroom. Your responses can be talking points - I do want you to document all of your notes and submit them as 1 PDF on canvas for this assignment.
READING LINK
https://atlas.bauhaus-dessau.de/en/journal/decolonizing-design-educationx
FOUR SHORT STORIES
1. Preface: Travelling concepts beyond the Bauhaus
Regina Bittner
WRITTEN response
Q1: Do you think the collection at NID, Ahmedabad offers a suitable critical framework for a journal that discusses facets of the decolonisation of education? (200 words)
Q2: How is the idea of “Traveling Concepts” a useful framework for this book? (200 words)
5. Decolonizing art, research, and education through participatory, interdisciplinary practices
Salikhain Kolektib
VISUAL response
Q: In alighnment with the use of Photovoice as a tool for documenting experiences within a community with the purpose of improving conditions, take a series of photographs capturing a social issue dominant in your neighborhood. The photographs may highlight vulnerabilities arising from the social issue or may document ways in which the neighborhood community is solving the problem.
Photovoice is a participatory research method that places cameras in the hands of people in a community to capture and document their observations, perceptions, and even emotions. In this method, the photos serve as a starting point for conversation, generating a forum for communities to reach policy makers and lobby for change.
11. “An elephant on the eyelid is invisible, an ant across the ocean is visible”: Learning design from Akal-akalan practice archives
Unconditionaldesign
MATERIAL response
Q: The term unconditional design, which can alternatively be translated as unconditional planning, describes the (renewed) design of a product, the main function of which has undergone change as a result of the creative process of the human mind with regard to the usefulness of that product. Can you choose and repurpose an object from your home by renewing its main function? Bring the object to class and discuss your findings. You can talk about your findings by discussing the old and new function, process of transformation, manipulation of form, change in human behavior when interacting with the object, and more.
Check out @unconditionaldesign
13. Hanging School / School Suspended
Mayumi Hirano and Mark Salvatus (Load Na Dito)
WRITTEN response
Q: What are some meaningful contrasts when we compare the exhibition format of “Kabit at Sabit” with art museums? Do you think this multi-site exhibition format is a useful tool in changing the way we think about exhibition work in creative space? (200-300 words)
10% of final grade
Grading Criteria
Recognize and differentiate between design philosophies and modes of operation and their historical, social, and cultural significance.
Learn to be formulate an informed opinion on how design history is written, what is considered important and why, and how to be resourceful in learning about design culture and artifacts from a diverse perspective.
Visual and verbal responses to the works and theories of designers and collectives and their impact on society.
Develop and communicate a critical perspective on the relationship between design and culture, society, and materiality.
Reading Response
Understanding of the text: Does the response demonstrate a clear and accurate understanding of the reading's main ideas?
Critical engagement: Does the response engage thoughtfully with the text, offering analysis, reflection, and critique?
Clarity and organization: Is the response well-organized, clearly written, and free of grammatical or spelling errors?
Originality: Does the response offer original insights or personal reflections, rather than just summarizing the reading?