Thursday 10 - 10.00-11.30
Social issues and an interest in the collective are at the heart of many DAE graduation projects. Designers are increasingly delving into societal issues to see how their design skills can be of value. According to Thomas Widdershoven this ties in with the current times in which the balance of power is shifting. The big institutions have failed us. The welfare state is crumbling. People are taking initiatives where institutions fail. The core of these participative initiatives lies in the fact that there is a strong belief in collaboration, in sharing ideas and working collectively on big issues. How can designers successfully operate in these networks without losing their selves? What skills and expertise can they bring? How can design schools prepare a new generation of designers for this?
FORUM
Thomas Widdershoven, Creative Director Design Academy Eindhoven & Director Studio Thonik
Alexandra Midal, freelance curator, Head of Masters programme HEAD (Haute ecole d’art) in Geneva
Dave Hakkens, graduate Design Academy Eindhoven, graduation project PhoneBloks
Bora Hong, graduate Design Academy Eindhoven, gradation project Cosmetic Surgery
Introduction to the exhibition by Jan Konings, curator of Self Unself (with Thomas Widdershoven)