January 5th, 2021
New Experimental Research in Design (NERD 2021)
When it comes to the question of “Experimental” in (not only design) research, the great Michael Erlhoff always reminded us to understand it as an experience-based emancipation from any beliefs, from the “misconception of assuming that we live in a harmonious world (governed by mathematical rules)”. He taught us to be aware of the necessity to take risks, of interventions and of somersaults in order to gain something like insights into what is happening and why it is happening (Erlhoff 2018, 8).
With an understanding of the ubiquitous design of all aspects of everyday life, research in design reveals an astonishing competence to discuss economic, social, ecological and medial processes of the present. In doing so, such design research, if wisely implemented, offers a fundamental critique of design as well as a variety of possible perspectives to better understand the present and prospects for the future.
This is precisely what the “New Experimental Research in Design/NERD” demonstrates in all openness, i.e. without any thematic limitation. For here young and very committed scholars appear to present their latest fundamental and contemporary research in design.
At this year’s NERD, the fourth conference on New Experimental Research in Design, six design researchers from Switzerland, France, Sweden, Slovakia and the USA, among others, will be presenting and discussing their latest research. All speakers are at an advanced graduate, doctoral or early postdoctoral level, and all work presented takes a practice-based, design-based, experimental research approach.
In their broad topical range, they will possibly bring us closer to what Erlhoff has constantly proclaimed further on: “The advanced quality of experimentation is based on the fact that experimentation always changes situations, correlations, and conditions. Experimentation never takes anything as a given fact, rather anything is open to change. That is: experimentation is both confusing and normal. Experimentation does not accept that rules and regulations are fixed. And experimentation is able to see mistakes and misunderstandings as potential qualities for innovation and for developing new perspectives.
This year, the conference will be held online on three days in June (3rd, 10th and 17th ), in cooperation with the Center for Design Research at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg). Introductions on New Experimental Research in Design by Dr. Tom Bieling and Dr. Ralf Michel. Presentations and discussions will be held in English, and participation is free of charge.
Zoom Link:
https://haw-hamburg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJclf-qurzMsE9x496dTP33FZSdG7aurWecL
Further Information and Contact:
Dr. Tom Bieling (Tom.Bieling °at° haw-hamburg.de)
DAY 1:
3RD JUNE 2021, 17:00 – 19:30 (CEST)
Link:
https://haw-hamburg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJclf-qurzMsE9x496dTP33FZSdG7aurWecL
Host: Marc Pfaff
16:45 Doors Open
17:00 Start
Introduction on New Experimental Research in Design by Dr. Tom Bieling and Dr. Ralf Michel
Adrian Demleitner:
“things are people too”
Hans-Jörg Pochmann:
“there is an I in ›design‹ but non in ›computer‹”
DAY 2:
10TH JUNE 2021, 17:00 – 19:30 (CEST)
Link: https://haw-hamburg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJclf-qurzMsE9x496dTP33FZSdG7aurWecL
Host: Ralf Michel
16:45 Doors Open
17:00 Start
Introduction on New Experimental Research in Design by Dr. Tom Bieling
Yaprak Hamarat:
“Disseminating aesthetic knowledge in design practice. Fanzines as scientific objects”
Dulmini Perera:
“What Comes After Method? Play.”
DAY 3:
17TH JUNE 2021, 17:00 – 19:30 (CEST)
Link: https://haw-hamburg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJclf-qurzMsE9x496dTP33FZSdG7aurWecL
Hosts: Michelle Christensen & Sandra Groll
16:45 Doors Open
17:00 Start
Introduction on New Experimental Research in Design by Dr. Tom Bieling
Svenja Keune, Delia Dumitrescu & Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen:
“Shearing Layers of Cohabitation: an experimental inquiry into the bio-colonisation of textile facades”
Jozef Eduard Masarik:
“Earth(e)scape”