Design with Others
This page explores how design shapes societal structures and relationships, focusing on power dynamics, inclusivity, and sustainable practices through the lenses of otherness, agency, and degrowth.
Day 1: Exploring design justice
Today’s session introduced Design as Language and explored how systems like emojis and platforms like Wikipedia reflect societal power dynamics. Emojis, for example, simplify communication but fail to represent cultural diversity adequately, while Wikipedia highlights issues of representation, with 90% of contributors identifying as male, leading to gender-biased content (e.g., 80% of biographies are of men). These biases often translate into AI systems, perpetuating inequality.
We also discussed the concept of “normal,” how standards shape societal structures, and how marginalized communities often face systemic exclusion. Disabilities, for instance, are framed as "other" rather than recognized as part of the human experience we all face over time.
Practical Exercise Using the Matrix of Domination framework, we analyzed dating apps through four domains of power:
Structural: Monetization and lack of regulation.
Disciplinary: Algorithms and vague community guidelines.
Hegemonic: Reinforcing beauty standards and cultural segmentation.
Interpersonal: Promoting transactional, short-term connections.
Reflecting on Grindr, I recognized how it fosters exclusion and homonormativity, privileging certain body types, races, and gender expressions while marginalizing others. This exercise made me question how design could address such systemic issues to create more inclusive platforms.
Day 2: Exploring otherness and eemeemee
In class, we explored the concept of otherness and its implications in identity construction. We discussed how identities can empower or oppress, depending on context. For example, nomadic identity offers freedom, while imposed identities often reinforce societal hierarchies. Wealthy "digital nomads" in cities like Barcelona exemplify this double standard; they are often celebrated as innovators despite contributing to issues like gentrification, while marginalized groups in vulnerable situations are viewed as threats.
Through intersectionality, we examined overlapping systems of discrimination based on gender, class, race, and more, with queer theory challenging rigid identity norms. Paul Preciado’s Countersexual Manifesto urged a rethinking of identity beyond societal constraints, asking, What matters isn’t who I am but how I can be free.
Our visit to Enclave Micopirata Mutante (eemeemee) expanded this perspective, as we learned how fungi and slime molds can embody symbiosis rather than competition. These organisms challenge the capitalist focus on competition, reflecting a potential shift towards mutualism in ecological and social systems. For instance, Elysia clorotica, a sea slug that performs photosynthesis, symbolizes coexistence, offering a metaphor for rethinking our relationship with the natural world.
The visit also showcased creative approaches to materiality. Marzia’s project, where she grew mycelium using parts of her body and later consumed it, blurred the lines between self, others, and environment, highlighting the interconnectedness of life. Oscar’s work with slime mold revealed its ability to form complex systems and solve problems, inspiring new frameworks for bio-inspired design.
These discussions and visits emphasized the importance of decolonizing knowledge and creating equitable systems. The critical examination of epistemic violence, how dominant narratives silence marginalized voices, reinforced the need to amplify subaltern perspectives.
Day 3: Exploring agency, fiction and mutan monkeys
In class, we delved into agency, which describes an entity’s capacity to act, and its manifestation through action. Fiction was presented as a critical design tool to challenge systemic power, with speculative scenarios offering alternatives to dominant ideologies. Elon Musk’s speculative ventures served as a real-world example of fiction with hyperreal consequences, shaped by hypermasculine epistemologies. For instance, we examined the concept of borders as human-created fictions with severe material consequences.
Similarly, we discussed transhumanism, a movement advocating for the enhancement of human capabilities to eliminate suffering. However, this ideal, linked to Nick Bostrom’s moral duty misconception, raised ethical concerns: Just because something is possible, does that mean it’s desirable?
The conversation also touched on historical injustices, such as Sweden’s mid-20th-century eugenics policies, where marginalized groups were forcibly sterilized under the guise of "progress." This tied into broader discussions about potestas (power imposed politically) versus potentia (power as collective potential) and the need for situated knowledge that accounts for diverse epistemic conditions. Movements like TransHackFeminism highlight the importance of hacking with care and challenging control systems, advocating for decolonized, open-source approaches to technology.
During our visit to Mutan Monkeys, we witnessed how passion and self-driven learning can break traditional barriers. This group of self-taught musicians shared unconventional instruments like the theremin and amplifiers that reveal inaudible frequencies. Their community-driven work underscored the importance of creative spaces where diverse voices and perspectives can flourish.
Day 4: Exploring togetherness and degrowth practices
The session focused on shifting from otherness to togetherness, emphasizing collective interdependence over individualism. Projects like TransPlant demonstrated how technology (e.g., NFC chips) could be hacked to challenge control systems, aligning with Karen Barad’s concept of intra-action transformation within relationships.
We also explored third landscapes, such as Barcelona’s Carmel bunkers, showcasing spaces for mutualism and potential reterritorialization beyond competitive Darwinian models. Arnau’s talk on degrowth art highlighted the need to reduce consumption and prioritize low-tech, socially driven design.
This raised essential questions about sustainability: Who benefits from the work? Are relationships genuinely reciprocal or extractive? Arnau shared his limits, like no longer flying, reinforcing the need to balance principles with personal well-being to practice meaningful sustainability.
Here is the Degrowth Toolbox
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