Mutate or Mute
Call for proposal submission

Designers not merely embellish the face of our world, but act as a driving force to change the face of the world for good. Design exposes and interrogates the mutations resulting from our ever-changing planetary condition, between crisis and cure, and thus itself acts as a reflection of those mutations. Hence, design mutates just like a single-cell organism, in permanent transition and transformation, adapting to cultural, social, political, economic, and ecological change. Without design the world is muted, at a stand-still, no voices of change to be heard.



For our International Design Week, which will be held from May 5th to 12th, 2023 in Graz / Austria, we ask for contributions on the subject of Mutate or Mute in the fields: Communication, Media, Sound, Interaction and Exhibition Design. Participants of this year’s workshops will be our first-year master’s students and our first-year bachelor’s students.




Lecturers at academic institutions around the world are invited to submit a proposal for a 3-day workshop that will address the following topics:


Communication Design

Key words:

analog transformation, printing techniques (risograph, screen printing...), non-verbal communication, isotype


Communicate or mute. Communication designers mutate new ideas and fresh concepts into never-seen-before visions. We are welcoming workshop proposals that provoke new imaginations by interrogating low-tech production with high-tech concepts, combining historical production techniques with state-of-the art digital tools.


Sound Design

Key words:

game sound design, film sound design, sound scenography and dramaturgy in rooms, balance, time out


Sound designers mutate sonic experiences and create acoustic concepts by recording, producing and arranging sounds in physical or virtual spaces. We are seeking workshop proposals in the areas of game audio, audio games, audio dramaturgy and/or sound scenography.


Media Design

Key words:

natural and artificial light, color grading, storytelling & storyboarding, (feature) film


Media designers direct the transmedial mutations of linear and non-linear storytelling and dramaturgy. We are seeking workshop proposals that engage in the various layers of media design, from classic animation, video production and game design to virtual production spaces.


Interaction Design

Key words:

somatic extensions, cyborgs, smart environments, accessibility, technology criticism


Interaction designers mutate bodies and technologies and everything that happens in between them. We are looking for workshop proposals that examine and challenge the permutations of the human-machine-assemblage and push beyond classical understandings of user experiences.


Exhibition Design

Key words:

scenography, staging, spatial permutation, artisanal prototyping


Exhibition designers mutate meaning in cartesian space. To stay afloat the ever-changing materiality of spatial production we are seeking workshop proposals that interrogate the craft of physical production and meaning making.



Available facilities:

  • Photo studio and video studio (green screen & lighting)
  • Audio studio and recording booth
  • Workshop (woodworking, soldering)
  • Prototyping lab (laser cutter, 3D printer, embroidery machine)
  • Print studio (plotter, risograph, vinyl cutter)
  • Vision Space (3D projection, audio spatialisation, motion tracking)
  • Media Center (equipment rental: cameras, VR glasses, microcontroller kits...)



About the institutions

The Institute of Design & Communication (idk), FH JOANNEUM

The Institute of Design & Communication, one of the largest institutes at the FH JOANNEUM, with around 300 students, contributes to the creative dynamics of the city of Graz. Competence in design, human-centered methods and research are important elements in our interdisciplinary education. Research at the institute encompasses contemporary design challenges in society in collaboration with industry and other academic institutions. The institute offers a bachelor’s program in Information Design and master’s programs in Exhibition Design and Communication, Media, Sound and Interaction Design. Our students learn to understand economic, social, cultural and technological backgrounds to effectively create design solutions for society as they shape tomorrow’s worlds.


Institute of Design & Communication
www.fh-joanneum.at/idk


Retrospective International Design Week 2022
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos


Creative Industries Styria (CIS)

Creative Industries Styria (CIS) is one of the central institutions promoting design and culture regionally and internationally. As one of 43 UNESCO Cities of Design in the world, the city of Graz creates awareness for design, art and culture, making them visible and perceivable in our society. Every year in May, the Design Month Graz organized by CIS showcases design from local and international creatives. From May 5th to June 4th, 2023, an extensive and diverse program including exhibitions, lectures and workshops will take place across the region.


Creative Industries Styria
www.cis.at


Retrospective Design Month 2022:
www.youtube.com/watch


About the workshops

Participants of this year’s workshops will be our first-year master’s students in Exhibition Design, Communication, Media, Sound and Interaction Design and our first-year bachelor’s students in Information Design.


All workshops will be held in English.



Time schedule

May 5th to 7th

Grand Opening Weekend of Design Month Graz 2023 including reception and scenic design tour.


May 8th

Welcome session at the Institute of Design & Communication. International Breakfast and lecturer’s workshops.


May 9th to 11th

The workshops will take place from Tuesday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.


May 12th

Final presentations.



Submissions and conditions

Lecturers interested in applying are requested to submit a proposal for a 3-day workshop (up to 300 words, rationale and learning outcomes) and a short CV until February 13th, 2023, to andrea.schlacher@fh-joanneum.at.


Participants are expected to obtain Erasmus+ mobility grants (STA) from their home institutions to cover the travel, living and accommodation expenses related to their participation in the event. Accommodation May 5-7 will be covered by CIS.



Timeline

February 13th, 2023

Proposal submission deadline


February 27th, 2023

Notification of acceptance


May 5th - 12th, 2023

Workshop week




Contact

For any questions, please contact
andrea.schlacher@fh-joanneum.at


Mag. Andrea Schlacher
Coordinator of International Relations
Institute of Design and Communication (idk)
FH JOANNEUM
Alte Poststraße 152
8020 Graz
AUSTRIA

www.fh-joanneum.at/idk