Capturing design's futureground

This coming November, Monash University's Art and Design faculty at Caulfield campus will host the influential Design Research Society (DRS) International Conference. It is the first time the biennial conference has been held outside Europe.

Forward thinkers: From left, Associate Professor Arthur de Bono, Professor John Redmond and Mr Denis Masseni. Photo: Greg Ford

With the theme of 'FUTUREGROUND', the conference will feature leading-edge design research across a wide range of contemporary issues from the international research community. Conference co-chair and Art and Design faculty dean Professor John Redmond says the conference is a major coup for Monash.

"Since its formation in the UK in 1967 as a learned society for the design research community, the DRS has been dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of design. It has established a record of significant achievements in contributing to design knowledge, including the publication of the respected Design Studies journal.

"The selection of Monash to conduct the conference recognises the university's growing contribution to excellence in design research on an international basis."

The five-day conference is expected to attract 500 delegates from 200 design schools in some 40 countries.

The central theme will be discourse around design as both cultural activity and production, as well as mapping the discipline's development and giving consideration to research in an industrial context.

Particular emphasis will be on the opportunities this presents in reconsidering the nature of design and an exploration of the scope for future research.

Manager of the Art and Design faculty's master multimedia program and conference manager Mr Denis Masseni says the conference is an ideal opportunity for design practitioners to be exposed to the world of design research.

"Hopefully this will contribute to the development of a greater depth of thinking in design. Those in professional practice will also have the chance to connect with academics involved in research."

The Victorian State Government's Department of Industry and Regional Development is a major sponsor of the conference.

Action

The Design Research Society conference will be held from 17 to 21 November. For more information, visit the futureground website or email futureground@artdes.monash.edu.au.