Design and Diversity: Your Yoga-Mat is not for Yoga

Today’s design landscape is characterized by innovative blend of multiple globalised sources, efficiently churning out commodities claiming universality. In the production process factors regarding originality, inspiration, and functionality are intertwined crucial to create befitting and relevant design. But does this contemporary practice lead us to same-ness and homogeneity of value, or does it call for cultural hybridization? How can today’s practice of doing design impact cultural significance and appropriation? These initial questions lead to the main questions, how would we claim Authenticity in the future? Is it even necessary to claim it?  

To answer these questions, it is critical to engage in lesser-known perspectives in Design History and to analyse historical transformation and future implementation as well. For this purpose, this course offers case studies and themes from diverse and decentred point of views to drift away from established narratives of Western Design. Taking examples from Global South like design process of traditional Ajrak printing, glossy graphic design of Pakistani films, mass-produced plastic toys, innovative yoga accessories, and vibrant truck art - the visual lectures will be an exploration between the idea of inspiration, authenticity, and innovation.

This pro-seminar with over-arching themes will benefit design students to develop critical understanding to create mindful trajectories and narratives.

Examination and grading are based on following parameters:

• Mandatory attendance to at least 80% of the classes.
• Active Participation during class, and excursion. (if arranged)
• First Assessment consists of a written document of 1000 words should be submitted online via base after the fourth session. (Submission in English or German)
• Final Assessment consists of 10-15 minutes of oral or recorded presentation in English (approx. 10-16 slides) along with a single page handout in English. Final Assessment would be conducted as a group assignement, and all the participants are expected to create indivuidal handouts (of their part) along with the main handout of the presentation. The handouts could be presented creatively in any format not smaller then an A4 sheet size. 

The course language is English. Maximum number of participants to the course is upto 30.  Written document submission could be in German or English language. The final assessment presentation should be in English language.  After registration, attendance to the first session is mandatory in order to keep the course. This proseminar is a theoretical base, which includes reading exposure, research, discussion and written assignment along with a final assesment through a presentation. Participants should have a laptop with internet. Class decorum should be maintained by not using mobile-phones unecessarily. Participants from all different backgrounds would be treated equally. Proper attention should be given to ensure timely completion of deadlines.