The professorship teaches fundamental positions, processes, and paradigms of design theory and research, with a particular focus on contemporary and mulitdisciplinary design cultures. The aim is to identify and discuss the various theoretical concepts, methodological strategies and exploratory practices of design, and to examine and contextualize them from a broader cultural perspective. In addition, essential insight and knowledge of scientific work, curating, and publishing is imparted. Prospective designers acquire essential conceptual and reflective skills to foster expanded theoretical and explorative perspectives on their own work, and to reflect and discuss them critically.
Summer Semester 2026
In the Summer Semester 2026, the Professorship of Design Theory and Design Research offers a diverse range of disciplinary and multidisciplinary courses — ranging from foundational lectures, specific seminars and workshops, to methodology-oriented and research-based formats. The teaching program is aimed at students of all creative disciplines and stages of study — from bachelor to doctoral — and invites critical engagement with questions of design, its positions, processes, and contexts.
Lecture Series: Fundamentals – Introduction to the Theory and History of Design
The lecture offers a broad overview of central positions in design theory and history – from historical reform approaches, modern functionalism, systemic design solutions, postmodern disruptions and digital transformation to sustainability. It is open to students of all disciplines and forms an important basis for a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of design.
Lecture Series: Digital Culture in Design, Media and Architecture
This lecture series examines current digital discourses at the intersections of design, media, and architecture. It focuses on topics such as artificial intelligence, digital materiality, robotics, human-machine interaction, digital sustainability, the Internet of Things, etc. The lecture series is open to all students and fields of study with an interest in digital culture in design, media, and architecture – and beyond.
Design Methods: Paradigms, Processes and Politics
This seminar explores the cultural, political, and social implications of design and its methodologies. It discusses key methods and positions (including Inclusive Design, Design Thinking, Human-Centred Design, Co-Design, etc.) and examines design as a reflexive – and critical – pursuit between creative practices and social responsibility.
Scientific Work: Research, Writing, Presentation
In this seminar, participants will – collaboratively – explore the essenatials of scientific work: ranging from the criteria of scientitfic work to research strategies and literature management to citation styles, project planning, time management, and academic writing. The seminar is offered as a Bauhaus.Module (with Dana Horch, Dr. Franziska Matthes, and Larissa Barth).
Robotic Tectonics: Negotiating Computation, Tectonics and Fabrication
In the Robotic Tectonics (Part IV) module, students will explore the theories, methods and practices of robotic 3D-printing. As such, the course combines foundational theories, digital modeling, materials research, and robotic fabrication, and is conducted in multidisciplinary cooperation between the faculties of Art and Design and Civil and Environmental Engineering (Chair of Complex Structures). The results will be presented at the summaery 2026.
Bachelor Essentials: Theoretical Foundations for Developing the Bachelor's Thesis
The bachelor's preparation module supports product design students in the conception and development of their final thesis. It discusses essential documentary, methodological, and reflective approaches to finding a topic, writing a thesis, and positioning one's own design work in a research context.
Lab Talks: Graduate seminar in the Ph.D. program
The Lab Talks offer a discursive format for doctoral students in the field of design. The focus is on the presentation and discussion of ongoing research work, the exchange of ideas on methodology and theory, and joint reflection on disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches in design.
Further information and dates for individual courses can be found in the course catalogue of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.