Design disciplines have entered the academic world in Switzerland relatively recently. Swiss design schools have only been required to perform research since the end of the 20th century to be qualified as universities of applied arts.
Yet what shape does this research take? Design has become an academic discipline producing original knowledge in traditional formats. However, the discipline has designerly ways of knowing that are yet to be fully recognised and understood.
The paradigm of design research, or research through design, supplements new knowledge with the production of new designs, such as prototypes, visualisations, performances, and exhibitions. These new, non-strictly bibliographic formats are relevant for their impact on design schools and audiences. Moreover, AI technologies threaten the scientific paper format as the ultimate form of knowledge transmission.
This symposium questions the status of design within the academic system and examines how knowledge is produced by design disciplines. It aims to provide examples of virtuous practices and discuss the relevance of design research as a framework in the medium and long terms.
We invited practice- and theory-based contributions anchored in design disciplines and cross- or transdisciplinary approaches that present examples of research through design, discuss methodological and epistemological issues, and offer novel ways of approaching practice-based research.
04–05.12.2024
Free entry under registration
ECAL/Ecole cantonale d'art de Lausanne
Av. du Temple 5
1020 Renens
