Dr. Markus Rautzenberg

Thinking Design

Philosophy in design—it’s not a given. Philosophy does not design. It approaches its subject matter through language and concepts. There is nothing manual, nothing visual about it. Philosophy thinks. Yet it has always reflected on questions that are fundamental to designers. Through the subject of philosophy, the Department of Design offers students a space for reflection and resonance alongside their practical work and projects. At Folkwang University of the Arts, design is also a matter of thought.

The Art of Communication

Successful communication is rare; misunderstanding is the rule. Communication designers, however, are concerned precisely with those rarer cases. They are not embellishers; they don’t just decorate what others give them. They design with a clear communicative intention. To do so, they must have a deep understanding of the conditions and foundations of communication: What is communication? What is language? What is art? How do our inner worlds relate to the external world—and to the inner worlds of others? And what are we actually doing when we create images?

The Greek term graphein originally meant “to carve a mark.” From this origin, graphic practice carries an ethical dimension—an incision on a sensitive surface. What does that mean for us as design practitioners? And does this also apply to digital design? How can the design practice of tattooing be understood? Together, we also reflect on the ethics of the image.

Algorithmic Culture

Questions around algorithmic culture are becoming increasingly central. By this, we mean far more than “digital literacy” in the sense of skillfully using digital tools in everyday (graphic) work. What are the implications for design when it becomes algorithmically driven—governed by autonomous processes? What does communication mean in the age of the Internet of Things? Communication without humans—is that conceivable? We aim to explore algorithmic cultures both theoretically and practically—through thought experiments and hands-on engagement.

Intellectual History of Communicative Practice

To this end, we study thinkers past and present. We read texts—sometimes short, sometimes long. We analyze, present, and write theoretical work of our own. In addition, we use open discussion formats in which we freely develop and debate our own ideas, both in form and content.

In doing so, you acquire the intellectual-historical foundation for your projects and the tools of academic research. You practice the art of substantiating your own arguments, understanding other perspectives, persuading your audience, and countering opposing views. In short, you train yourself in the art of communication.