Einführung in Theorie und Geschichte des Design 1
Heng Zhi
Design, Theory and History of Design
2025W, Vorlesungen (VO), 2.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S04021
Description
Blueprints of Power: Design and Politics
From the protagonists of the Arts and Crafts Movement to the design activists of the early 21st century, designers have long explored the potential of design practice to effect political change through its aesthetic, cultural, and social impact. At the same time, design has also been shaped and used by governments—as a way to influence public taste, enhance national economy, or project soft power. This lecture series explores how design operates as both a political tool and a form of political action. Case studies range from examples of design policy—from post-war Britain and Cold War America to China in the 2010s—to investigations of key movements such as Arts and Crafts, Radical Design, and Design Activism. In light of the “postcolonial turn” in design history, this series will also consider how global power structures challenge the idea of one-size-fits-all design solutions. Critical reflection takes place in form of tutorials in small groups.
Examination Modalities
The evaluation criteria for the course are:
- regular and punctual attendance of the lectures (min. 80% of the lectures)
- active participation in the tutorials and contribution to the group discussion
- a short piece of analysis of a self-selected design object or project based on one or more topics of the lecture series (approx. 1000 words) OR a 5–10 minute video essay/podcast. work generated by AI cannot be accepted, unless clearly indicated; references in footnotes or shownotes are required (https://www.scribbr.de/chicago-zitierweise/literaturverzeichnis-chicago-style/). Submission deadline: January 26 2026. Later submissions cannot be considered for the evaluation.
Dates
06 October 2025, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 9
27 October 2025, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 9
10 November 2025, 10:00–12:30, "Online"
24 November 2025, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 9
01 December 2025, 10:00–12:30 , "Online"
15 December 2025, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 9
12 January 2026, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 9
Course Enrolment
From 01 September 2025, 09:00 to 06 October 2025, 00:01
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Design History and Theory 537/080.24
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Design History and Theory 568/006.15
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Theory and History of Design 576/103.08
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Introduction into Theory and History of Design 577/103.06
Industrial Design (1. Section): Art and Cultural Studies - Basics: Introduction to Theory and Design History I + II 580/104.01
Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Theory and History of Design - Introduction 584/103.08
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Media Theory,Art&Knowledge Transfer,Th. of Architecture,Th. and Hist. of Design 605/202.02
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Art and Design History 626/103.02
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible