Abstract
This paper introduces a novel narrative methodology for exploring how cultural values influence design practice, focusing on design educators’ role in transmitting these values to future generations. Positioned within Design in Society: Value, Culture, and Knowledge Systems, it outlines the research framing, data collection processes, and challenges in understanding shared cultural frameworks alongside initial insights. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 35 Scandinavian design educators, the study traces personal histories from childhood through professional roles to reveal how formative experiences and societal dynamics shape design practice and pedagogy. By examining early inspirations and cultural influences, this approach investigates how shared values are embedded into creative practice and teaching, shaping the ethos of the next generation. It highlights the dynamic interplay between individual experiences and collective cultural values, showcasing oral histories as a tool to contextualize design practice, particularly in fostering critical consciousness and examining the role of design in challenging or reifying cultural norms. The focus on educators underscores the importance of mentorship and pedagogy in sustaining and evolving cultural narratives within design. As part of a larger, ongoing project, this research shares emergent themes and insights to encourage reflection on how life histories influence practice and foster more intentional and culturally attuned approaches to design and pedagogy.
Presenters
Ann-Marie ConradoAssociate Professor, Art, Art History and Design, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Design Research, Cultural Values, Oral Histories, Narrative Methodology, Scandinavian Design
