Theorie und Geschichte des Design 2

Ufaq Inaam
Design, Theory and History of Design
2026S, Introductory Seminar (PS), 3.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S06001

Description

Unlearning Euro-America: Designs from Other Worlds

This seminar rethinks design history and theory through the deliberate unlearning of Euro-American modernity as the default frame of reference.
It interrogates how canonical historiographies have constructed 'design' as an industrial, Western project while marginalizing vernacular practices, craft epistemologies, regenerative systems, and alternative material cultures.
Positioning design history as a contested and geopolitically entangled field, the course examines how colonial modernity, extractivism, petro-materiality, and global supply chains have shaped dominant narratives of progress and innovation. In contrast, it foregrounds design trajectories emerging from the Global South and other historically peripheralized contexts.


This course is grounded in case studies spanning architecture, fashion, craft, graphic systems, and museum collections. It begins with the guiding question: How can we unlearn Euro-American design?

 

 

Examination Modalities

  • Minimum 80% attendance. Attendance to first session is mandatory. 

  • Active participation in class discussions, group work and intellectual perfomance is necessary.  

  • Submission of mini position poster (1 × A4 page - designed and printed)
    Showcase one visually composed page combining reflection, imagery, and key conceptual insights developed from the museum visit that situates your perspective. Display: May 18, 2026 (30%)

  • Final presentaions (as a group):  Details in second session and on base. June 12 & 19, 2026 (60%)

Key Words

Unlearning, Euro-America, extractivism, petro-materiality, colonial modernity, casestudies, globalsouth

Dates

Mon, 20 April 2026, 12:30–15:00, "Online-Zoom"
Wed, 22 April 2026, 12:30–15:00, "Online-Zoom"
Fri, 08 May 2026, 12:00–17:00 Seminar Room 9 , "Excursion"
Mon, 18 May 2026, 12:00–17:00 Seminar Room 9
Fri, 12 June 2026, 12:00–14:30 (examination)
Fri, 19 June 2026, 12:00–14:30 (examination)

Course Enrolment

From 02 February 2026, 09:00 to 15 March 2026, 20:58
Via online registration

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: aus Geschichte und Theorie der Architektur bzw. des Design (wahlweise) 074/003.20

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

Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Theory and History of Design 577/203.08

Industrial Design (2. Section): Design in Context: Theory and Design History 580/202.11

Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (2. Section): Fashion in Context: Theory and History of Design 584/208.01

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

Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02

Co-registration: possible

Attending individual courses: possible