DESIGNING DESIGN

To see related seminar series (with video)

Keywords

Overview

Investigating digital media, communication, informatics and design is presented through an international seminar series and research publications referring to a set of sub projects in digital design.

Aims

• Establishing further InterMedia's interdisciplinary approach to design, conceptually and methodologically
• Investigating the design and mediation of research seminars, face-to-face and online Extending the frames and functions of the genre of the research seminar and its representations and records
• Building resources related to interdisciplinary design in and related to the seminars themes, topics and the presenters
• Linking academic and research knowledge with that of designer-practitioners
• Profiling international and regional research in design studies and showcasing the works of local desingers
• Generating a rich environment for discussion of design, both onsite and online
• Providing a venue at the University of Oslo for open access to design research and practice
• Strengthening participation and partnerships with related programmes and instutions at UiO, and with KhiO and AHO.

The project and its seminars are framed around the following themes: Concepts and Methods, Research Mediation, Interface and Interaction, Electronic Arts, Public Spaces. The project draws on Activity Theory, Actor Network theory and a variety of contemporary approches to Design (participatory, adaptive, expressive, emergent, anticipatory). Research rhetorics and online research mediation are also part of the conceptual framework for this project.

Methods

This project is centred around innovations in research seminars and the development of an interdisciplinary book on design. These seminars are framed according to the five main themes (see Concepts above). InterMedia's experimental studio is used as the setting for the seminars. The project website is itself an investigation of how research seminars may be mediated online via short research papers, real-time presentations, video summaries and clips, and in the seminar blog. The genre of the research seminar is developed through the involvement, practices and conceptual contributions of the seminar participants. An edited book of commissioned chapters is drawn from the seminars.

Partners

The seminars were arranged by InterMedia (Andrew Morrison, Idunn Sem, Even Westvang, Synne Skjusltad), with support on event design (Idunn Sem, Synne Skjulstad, Per Christian Larsen), web mediation (Hans Magnus Nedreberg, Idunn Sem), seminar filming (Arve Nordberg).

Duration

2004-2007 

Outcomes

Seminars & Events:
- an interdisciplinary digital design online seminar series
- a template for framing similar events at InterMedia for use in other projects

Networking & research proposals:
- international and local design research networking
- joint research applications with AHO
- related EU project (GRIG).

Book chapters:
Morrison, A. & Skjulstad, S. (2007). 'Talking cleanly about convergence: popular culture, adverts on the web & the wash of participation'. In Storsul, T. & Stuedahl, D. (Eds). The Ambivalence of Convergence. Nordicom: Göteborg.

Morrison, A. & Skjulstad, S. (forthcoming 2008). 'Unreal estate: digital design and mediation in marketing urban residency'. In Wagner I. & Stuedahl, D. (Eds). Explorations in Digital Design. Springer: Vienna.

Morrison, A., Westvang, E. & Skøgsrud, S. (forthcoming 2008). 'Whisperings in the undergrowth: performativity, collaborative design and online social networking'. IIn Wagner I. & Stuedahl, D. (Eds). Explorations in Digital Design. Springer: Vienna.

Morrison A. (forthcoming 2008). Contributor to three group authored chapters. In Wagner I. & Stuedahl, D. (Eds). Explorations in Digital Design. Springer: Vienna. (with Wagner, I., Stuedahl, D., Liestøl, G., Mortberg, C., Bratteteig, T. & Mørch, A.).

Skjulstad, S. 2007. 'Clashing Constructs in web design'. In Melberg, A. (Ed.). Aesthetics at Work. Unipub: Oslo. 81-103.

Conference papers:
Morrison, A. Skjulstad., S. & Sevaldson, B. (2007). 'Waterfront development with Web mediation'. Proceedings of Design Inquiries. 2nd Nordic Design Research Conference. Konstfack, Stockholm, 27-30 May 2007.

Morrison, A. & Skjulstad, S. (2007) 'Mediating hybrid design: a study of the projection of automotive innovation on the Web'. Full conference paper in for Proceedings of Wonderground. Design Research Society International Conference. 1-4 November, Lisbon Portugal.

Journal articles:
Skjusltad, S. (In press). 'Motion Graphics and Communication Design on the Web'. Journal of Media Practice.

Morrison, A. & Skjulstad, S. (in progress). 'Making homepages:digital tools, mediated performativity and interior design online'. To be submitted to Home Cultures or Digital Creativity.

Morrison, A. & Westwang, E. (in progress 2007) 'Rhetorics of research mediation'. Article for Kairos, a peer reviewed online journal of rhetoric, technology and pedagogy.

Related projects

MULTIMO, WEB INTERFACES, GRIG, DIGITAL DESIGN, CMC CONVERGENCE.

Funding

University of Oslo new staff award (A. Morrison)