Unlearning Design: Roundtable on Sustainability and Transformation Competence in Design Education
A cooperation between the University of Arts Linz (Prof. Dr. Florian Sametinger), Kunsthochschule Kassel (Prof. Dr. Susanne Ritzmann) and the German Society for Design Theory and Design Research e.V.
Date: November 11, 2025 approx. 10 AM - 6 PM (exact timeframe tbd)
Location: University of Arts Linz, Austria
Background & Objectives
Design education has been undergoing a transformation for some time. In the face of multiple global crises - climate change, social inequality, resource scarcity - the question remains what role design can play in a sustainable transformation of society. Sustainability and transformation competence are central themes in design education, yet many teaching formats remain stuck in established structures that hinder rather than promote sustainable innovations. The concept of “Unlearning” opens up a critical perspective: Which assumptions, methods, and practices in design education must be questioned and overcome to enable just & future-oriented design approaches?
The "Unlearning Design" roundtable is conceived as a two-part event:
1. Internal Workshop (non-public, at the University of Arts Linz)
- Goal: Reflection and discussion of future perspectives of design education in the context of sustainable transformation.
- Participants: Up to 15 experts from the fields of Sustainable Design, Transformation Design, Circular Design, Design Research, and related disciplines.
- Content: Identification of barriers and potentials for sustainability-oriented design education, development of approaches to integrate transformation competencies.
- Format: Short impulse presentations, moderated working groups, and discussion rounds.
2. Public Roundtable (hybrid, & at the University of Arts Linz)
- Goal: Opening the discourse to a broader professional audience and exchange with students, teachers, and researchers.
- Structure: Brief impulses from participants on key insights from the workshop, followed by an open discussion.
- Participants: Design students, teachers, researchers, and interested parties from relevant fields.
- Access: Hybrid format with in-person event and online participation.
The selection of participants for the internal workshop will be made through a call for interest as well as targeted invitations. The public discussion allows for the integration of different perspectives and new impulses for the further development of design education.
Expected Results
- Critical reflection of existing teaching formats and identification of unlearning potentials.
- Development of guidelines for sustainability-oriented, transformative design education.
- Networking of experts and stakeholders to promote innovative teaching and research approaches.
- Optional: Online publication of contributions afterward (including DOI)
The "Unlearning Design" roundtable offers a platform to jointly discuss the future of design education - towards an explorative, responsible, and transformative practice.
Contact:
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Florian Sametinger
Design Research & Design Theory
Florian.sametinger@kunstuni-linz.at