»How we design things has an influence on what or whom we perceive as ›normal‹ or ›not normal‹. The design of products, technologies, services, systems, virtual worlds and tangible objects always implicitly transmits social norms, values and role models. Design and the images it disseminates, often unreflectively, are hence unavoidably political. Design marks the boundaries between inclusion and exclusion. Thus, it is an effective force in shaping not only material culture, but also societal values and human behavior. For Designers this offers both opportunities and challenges. Not least when the dividing lines between human and thing, between nature and technology are less and less clear.«

Dr. phil. Tom Bieling teaches Design Theory at the New Design University St. Pölten, and has been visiting professor at the University of Trento and the German University in Cairo. In his research he mainly focuses on the social and political dimensions of design, particularly on aspects of inclusion and exclusion, as featured in his recent books Inklusion als Entwurf and Design (&) Activism.

He is currently affiliated with the Centre for Design Research (Hamburg University of Applied Sciences) and the Vilém Flusser Archiv. Previously he was research fellow at the Design Research Lab of Berlin University of the Arts, and TU Berlin. He is Chief Editor at Designforschung.org and Co-Editor of the book series Design Meanings (Mimesis).

Tom Bieling – Posthuman-Centered Design
Zentrum für Designforschung, HAW Hamburg

Date:
Monday, Dezember 16th 2019 / 19:00

Location:
Faculty of Art and Design
van de Velde Werkstatt, room 116
Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 7
99423 Weimar

This talk is part of the Bauhausinteraction Colloquium.