Essay Brief

2,500 – 3,000-word essay with images which addresses one of the following

1. “[Design activism] is design thinking, imagination and practice applied knowingly or unknowingly to create a counter-narrative aimed at generating and balancing positive social, institutional, environmental, and/or economic change.” (Faud-Luke, 2009, p.27)

Explore two design projects in the context of this quote.

2. “Critical design aims to challenge how people think about everyday life … it strives to keep alive other possibilities by providing a counterpoint to the world around us and encouraging us to see that everyday life could be different” (Dunne & Raby, 2013, p.45)

Explore critical design through the work of two designers.

Your essay will be assessed against the following:

• RESEARCH: Employ an appropriate range of sources that relate current practices in art and/or design to broader cultural and critical issues.
• ANALYSE: Demonstrate a critical understanding of several areas of contemporary practice in art and/or design that enable evaluation and critical reflection on their own work and/or field.
• COMMUNICATE: Successfully communicate research, analysis, and initiative in coherent and relevant forms.