Abstract
The world is a big place. Culture is the art of everybody. If we choose to focus on only one culture or part of the world, we limit our thinking, our growth, and our experiences of the world. As designers, we need to be widely exposed to a multitude of cultures so that we can fill our creative toolboxes with possibilities that best serve our clients with creative solutions. Since not every student can travel the world for a personal look at the many cultures it offers, it is helpful that design projects explore how visual design can connect various cultures. Even with a large design toolbox, without an increased comfort for using all of one’s tools, decolonization will not occur. This paper focuses on how the design projects encourage students to include diverse cultures, interests, and identities through design projects, all with a focus on culture. Cultural, social, and conceptual issues are inextricably integrated with design. The focus on culture not only expands the learners’ design perspectives and assists them with defining their own design identity but also opens worlds and can change hearts. This paper explores the impact of introducing designers to the idea that the design art form has the power to change hearts and influence people to think differently and be more open to other cultures. The goal of exploring various cultures is to expand students’ knowledge of other cultures, help them feel more connected to and respectful of new cultures, and achieve decolonization of design.
Presenters
Setareh GhoreishiAssistant Professor, Art and Art History, Oakland University, Michigan, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Culture History Design Diversity Decolonization
