Meta-Design: Rethinking Design in the Age of Complexity, Designing for Networks of Human and Non-Human Actors

Meta-Design. Rethinking Design in the Age of Complexity

Designing for Networks of Human and Non-Human Actors.

(re)sta(r)ting.

The movement towards a new frame, status and role for design in society - where system thinking and meta-design are central - is not new. The ongoing pandemic and the concurrent acceleration on the digital transformation and the diffusion of AI-based and data-intensive solutions increased the sense of urgency for re-framing/re-thinking/redesigning design in that perspective.

We want to waive - and build upon - the existing and ongoing conversations, initiatives, movements, networks, platforms and works that aim at re-framing design through metadesign, systems thinking, and systemic design approaches, to kick-off a shared conversation and concerted actions. The first gathering will take place on July 15th at noon (EDT) for an informal conversation around the following questions:

Is Design too centered on humans? How to design for human + non-human actors? What are the boundaries of a system in systemic design? What is the role of proximity (locality?) in global systems? What about diversity and plurality in systemic design? How meta-design relates to system thinking and systemic design?

An initiative of the Center for Design at Northeastern University - College of Arts, Media and Design, endorsed by the  Design Research Society.