November 11, 2025 University of Arts Linz
A cooperation between the University of Arts Linz (Univ.-Prof. Dr. Florian Sametinger), Kunsthochschule Kassel (Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Ritzmann) and the German Society for Design Theory and Research.
Background & Objectives
Design theory has been undergoing a transformation for some time now. In view of multiple global crises - climate change, social inequality, scarcity of resources - the question of what role design can play in a sustainable transformation of society continues to arise. Sustainability and transformation skills are key topics in design education, but many teaching formats remain stuck in established structures that restrict rather than promote sustainable innovation. The concept of *unlearning* opens up a critical perspective: which assumptions, methods and practices in design education need to be questioned and overcome in order to enable sustainable design approaches?
The roundtable "Unlearning Design" is conceived as a two-part event:
1. internal workshop (non-public, at the University of Art and Design Linz)
Participants for the internal workshop will be selected via a call for interest and targeted invitations. The public discussion makes it possible to include different perspectives and gain new impulses for the further development of design education.
2. public roundtable (hybrid)
The roundtable "Unlearning Design" offers a platform to jointly discuss the future of design education - towards an explorative, responsible and transformative practice.