Dr. phil. habil. Cordula Meier
Professor | Institute for Art and Design Science
Design Studies as a Cultural Technique
Drawing on the sociology of design, design history, art history, and design theory, the discipline of Design Studies was established at Folkwang University of the Arts—along with a way of thinking about and through design. Design is omnipresent. Reflecting on a designed world is therefore closely tied to reflecting on the human being within the autopoietic system of design.
Design Studies as a Technique of Creativity
Design Studies is inherently inter- and transdisciplinary. Only through the lens of other disciplines can new answers to complex questions be found. The focus lies on perspectives from intellectual history, cultural studies, everyday aesthetics, and media theory. Current research at Folkwang University of the Arts explores the impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence on society and design. Its close connection to design practice continuously nourishes theoretical development.
Design Studies as Design History
The Institute of Art and Design Studies curates the Study and Research Collection for Design, which includes archived teaching materials from the past 150 years. More than 900 objects reflect the everyday design of earlier eras and—through curated exhibitions—repeatedly raise essential questions: How did we live yesterday? How do we live today? How will we live tomorrow?
Theory Is the Most Beautiful Form of Practice
The results of research are translated into academic formats but also into narrative forms of knowledge. In this way, Design Studies is both theoretical and practical in its reflexivity—and is on its way to generating an autonomous, canonical body of knowledge.
