Potential themes

The aim of this track is to reconsider, reconceptualize, and challenge the everyday belief that modern design improves the quality of life, including its mental, psychological, somatic, interpersonal and environmental dimensions. We call for contributions that either judiciously analyse the overly optimistic expectations that surround modern and contemporary design, or provide reconfigurations of the position, status and use of design for the sake of human dignity, health, well-being, and interpersonal relationships. We aim to delve into the intricate connections between the body, social structure, communities and the urban sphere in terms of health, sickness and the “standardized” body vis-a-vis design theory and practice.

• Humans and their environments
• Design anthropology
• Somatic experiences in the context of design and art
• 4E cognition and design
• Designing with the human body
• Designs of the human body
• Cyborgisation
• Health in relation to design and art
• Demographic trends in relation to design
• Design challenges of aging societies
• The design of work and leisure
• Mental health and design
• The standardized body and design

Track chairs

Bálint Veres

Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest

Jonathan Ventura

Shenkar College

Eszter Babarczy

Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest