2013 AIGA Design Educators Conference (April 2013, Norfolk Virginia USA)

Dates: 12-14 April 2013
Location: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
Website: http://bluntconference.aiga.org/
Deadline for submissions of proposals: 1 August 2012

Theme: Blunt: Explicit and Graphic Design Criticism Now

Blunt describes this conference’s aspiration and topic. It is a term that invokes our potential and our problems, and suggests the type of dialog we seek to engage. To be effective, criticism must be keen and direct, undiluted by concessions to academic or professional propriety. Graphic design is firmly established as a unique form of practice, but we do not yet have a developed body of literature that serves to question, critique and propose alternate interpretations of our way of viewing the world. Criticism is an activity, but not necessarily a negative one. Criticism is also productive and projective. It can reimagine and reconfigure existing relationships between design and other disciplines. Blunt: Explicit and Graphic Design Criticism Now is dedicated to the exploration of graphic design criticism and outspoken applications of its practice. Blunt invites contrarian statements to prevailing wisdom on graphic design practice, education, and criticism.

In order to conceptualize a critical practice, Blunt proposes that we foster an awareness of—and need for—the conceptual tools, techniques and vehicles of critical practice by writing back at graphic design, challenging established views and assessing possibilities.

Blunt: Explicit and Graphic Design Criticism Now will present speakers who will address the discourse of criticism in design, critique aspects of graphic design practice, and present or propose methods of critical thought. Conference sessions are divided into the areas of practice, history, writing, and education. Workshops are planned in critical writing and the practical concerns of curriculum and advancement in academia.

Sessions will cover:

Practice and Theory: Critiquing Design Activity and Design Activity as Critique
History: Evaluations of Our Past
Writing: Language as a Tool
Education: Looking to our Future

Submitting a proposal:

Please indicate which conference session you wish your paper to be considered for. All proposals will be refereed by two academics. Proposals must be written in English. Each proposal must include the following:

• The title of your paper or presentation, and the conference session that it pertains to.
• A concise abstract of 300 words or less.
• The above information must appear on a single letter-size/A4 page. Proposals that are longer than one page will not be accepted.
• Do not include any identifying information such as your name or institution on the proposal page itself.

Proposals should be attached as a PDF submitted via email to Jason Tselentis at tselentisj@winthrop.edu. In the body of the email, include: your name, your institutional affiliation (if you have one), and your contact information, including your telephone number and mailing address.

PDF files should be labeled using first initial, last name and conference title and proposed conference session as the document titling format, as follows:
ASmith_Blunt_Writing.pdf

Proposals must be received by end of day August 1, 2012. Notice of acceptance will be provided to all proposal authors thereafter. Accepted authors will be required to submit full papers with complete images by November 1, 2012. The final acceptance of each proposal will be based upon the receipt of the full paper. If you have any questions about submitting your proposal, please contact Jason Tselentis at tselentisj@winthrop.edu.