Einführung in Theorie und Geschichte des Design 1

Heng Zhi
Design, Theory and History of Design
2026W, Lecture (VO), 2.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S04021

Description

Design After Modernism: From Radical to Shanzhai

The history of design since the post-war period is characterized by waves of commercialisation for the mass market and designers’ critical engagement with social and political issues. At the same time, design practices from outside the Western world have gained increasing visibility and significance in recent decades. This lecture series first introduces key epochs and movements from 1960s to the early 2000s, offering a wide range of insights into the work of designers and design collectives such as Ettore Sottsass, Ron Arad, and Droog Design, as well as approaches including Postmodernism, Critical Design, and Signature Design. By showing how the notion of modernist design has been constantly challenged, modified, and reinterpreted by generations of designers, this course examines the relationships between design, critical thoughts, and the market. The final session shifts the focus to design practices in the Global South, examining movements embedded in informal economies, such as Shanzhai and Jugaad and encourages students to reflect on design beyond conventional Western-centred narratives.

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 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. Please write in the first person and avoid topics that can be generated by AI. When using AI, please specify the prompt list. References in footnotes or shownotes are required (https://www.scribbr.de/chicago-zitierweise/literaturverzeichnis-chicago-style/). Submission deadline: January 15 2027. Later submissions cannot be considered for the evaluation.

Comments

Course language: German

Dates

Mon, 05 October 2026, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 3
Mon, 19 October 2026, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 3
Mon, 09 November 2026, 10:00–12:30 Zoom
Mon, 16 November 2026, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 3
Mon, 30 November 2026, 10:00–12:30 Zoom
Mon, 14 December 2026, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 3
Mon, 11 January 2027, 10:00–12:30 Seminar Room 3

Course Enrolment

From 01 September 2026, 00:00 to 05 October 2026, 10:00
Via online registration

Art Education: study subject kkp (Bachelor): Academic Practice: FOR: Course from the Institute IKK.K 034/2026UBA-003.21

Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/2016UBA-003.80

Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/2018UEW-003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/2017UBA-003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/2018UEW-003.80

TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/2025UBA-003.01

Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Design History and Theory 537/2021UMA-080.24

Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Design History and Theory 568/2021UMA-006.15

Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Theory and History of Design 576/2024U00-103.08

Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Introduction into Theory and History of Design 577/2025U00-103.06

Industrial Design (1. Section): Art and Cultural Studies - Basics: Introduction to Theory and Design History I + II 580/2013U00-104.01

Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Theory and History of Design - Introduction 584/2019U00-103.08

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Media Theory,Art&Knowledge Transfer,Th. of Architecture,Th. and Hist. of Design 605/2019U00-202.02

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/2019U00-202.80

Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Art and Design History 626/2021U00-103.02

Co-registration: possible

Attending individual courses: possible