Design in Crisis

Exploring the Value, Possibilities and Capabilities of Design in Times of Crisis

The current situation confronts us once again with the fragility of the daily order. We are forced to develop new strategies on how to act and how to live, which will also become obsolete soon or be implemented in our future routines. These shifting processes happen either suddenly – like in the Corona-Crisis – or almost unnoticed and gradual until they culminate – e.g. the climate crisis.
Counting the inflationary use of the word crisis, it seems the mode of crisis is the new normal. Somwhere there always is a crisis.
Design is multilayered. While some aspects of design will have to reinvent themselves others can help to overcome crises or shaping a whole new order for societies and their respective natural and cultural environment.
How does design behave in crises, how does it behave towards crises, which design measures exacerbate, deteriorate, ameliorate or even generate crises.

As part of a project in the summer term of 2020 at the HAWK, we analyzed and discussed the term crises in it’s broad meaning. From climate crisis, financial crisis, mid life crisis to Corona crisis; from historical crisis of the Roman Empire up to possible future crisis scenarios. We did dig deep and have reflected in a critical, brave and visionary way. The results of this Corona-term are not finished products, but visualized thoughts, designs and concepts that might offer solutions to specific scenarios or help to get a deeper understanding and insight of certain aspects of crises.