Praxis and Poetics: Research Through Design 2013 Conference

CALL FOR SUBMISSION

We are excited to invite submissions for the first International bi-annual Praxis and Poetics: Research Through Design conference, hosted by Northumbria University at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, UK3rd–5th of September 2013.

The conference aims to explore multi-textural opportunities for presenting and discussing non discipline specific research through design and resists the temptation to adopt a traditional format for both paper submission and presentation in favour of an exhibition of design research accompanied by roundtable presentations and discussions in ‘rooms of interest’. The exhibition will be used as a platform to present and express outcomes of research, demonstrate examples of research enquiries and generate debate about the role of making in design research. The conference theme of Praxis and Poetics represents the differentmodes and approaches to practice as well as a larger ethos around content related to poetics, beauty and grace.

Contributions may fall under these themes but are not limited to:

  • Making (What do we experience?)
  • Making as exploration
  • Making as a collaborative activity
  • Understanding the logic, beauty and meaning of objects
  • Doing (How do we practice research?)
  • Craft as methodology
  • Research through design approaches
  • Innovations in research approaches and methods
  • Viewing (How do we perceive objects?)
  • Perceptions of objects
  • Beauty / aesthetics
  • Digital originals
  • Meaning (How do we critique making and its outcomes?)
  • Persuasion through objects
  • Critical craft, Critical objects
  • Interdisciplinary explorations and viewpoints
  • Being (What does it mean?)
  • Ageing beautifully / Gracing agefully
  • Personhood
  • The body, memory and desire

Submissions information

Submissions will take the form of an artefact(exhibited at the conference) accompanied by a maximum of afour-page commentary paper. We welcome submissions of both final and developmental research. All submissions will be double peer reviewed and the exhibition will be curated. All papers and images of the artefacts will be published in ISBN digital conference proceedings. Our aspiration is that works of exceptional quality will be invited to be part of an edited book that will be published following the conference.

Submission Information

Stage 1 – Abstract and Accompanying Images

Please send an abstract of 300 words (max) detailing the research imperatives, process and outcomes in relation to one or more of the conference themes with up to 10 images (photographs, graphic images 300dpi, good quality screen shots, clear sketches - maximum 20MB in total).

Stage 2 – Written Commentary and Final Images

We will provide a template in which to describe the research rationale, imperatives, process and outcomes of the work.We will ask you to include video and/or images. The heart of the conference will be the exhibition at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Designers are responsible for all shipping costs (artefacts to reach us by 27thof August 2013) and will be able to take the pieces away at the end of the conference.

There will be a limit on the size of objects that can be submitted and exhibited. We will confirm the dimensions after reviewing the abstracts. The objects should not be overly delicate, although gallery staff will be present to man the exhibition, pieces will not be behind glass. We will discuss logistics of how best to present individual pieces with authors. If your object has latex or any material people could be allergic to tell us and we’ll negotiate how best to display.

Submission Process

Stage 1Please send an abstract of 300 words (detailing your exhibit) with up to 10 images (photographs, graphic images 300dpi, good quality screen shots, clear sketches maximum 20MB) by 17:00 GMT 25th of March 2013.Authors will be notified before the 5th of April 2013 of acceptance to the conference and invited to submit the full 4 page paper.

Stage 2Full paper submission by 17:00 GMT 31st of May 2013.Authors will be notified of amendments needed by the 10thof June 2013.Final paper submission the 1stof July 2013.

Please email abstract submissions to

Important Dates

Abstract Submission 25th March, 2013

Authors Notified5th April, 2013

Paper Submission31st May, 2013

Authors Notified re amendments10th June, 2013

Final Paper Submission1st July, 2013

Artefact Arrival Date 27th August, 2013

Conference Chairs

DrJayne Wallace DrJoyce Yee (Design, University of Northumbria)

This conference will be co-located with DPPI – Designing Pleasurable Products and Interfaces conference.