Cumulus Johannesburg: Design with the Other 90%: Changing the World by Design (Sep 2014, South Africa)

Dates: 22-24 September 2014
Location: Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Johannesburg; and Greenside Design Center (GDC)
Website: www.cumulusassociation.org
Deadline for submission of abstracts: 1 April 2014

In 2007, the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum hosted an exhibition entitled ‘Design for the other 90%’ which focused on design solutions that addressed the most basic needs of the 90% of the world’s population not traditionally served by professional designers. In 2008, Cumulus members signed the Kyoto Declaration, wherein they committed themselves to the ideals of sustainable development. The Cumulus Conference to be hosted by GDC and FADA seeks to bring discussions around the role art and design can and should play in sustainable social advancement, particularly in the context of the African Continent. Focusing on notions of respect, responsibility and sustainability, this conference seeks to explore the vital role that design, visual culture and design education plays in addressing pressing problems of our planet, particularly for under-served communities that are rarely benefactors of the work of artists and designers. It is envisaged that Africa’s distinctive capacity to respond to such problems will be highlighted.

GIDEC 2013: Gaborone International Design Conference (September 2013, Gaborone Botswana)

Dates: 24-26 September 2013
Location: University of Botswana, Africa
Website: http://www.gidec2013.com/
Deadline for submissions of abstracts: 7 January 2013

Design in developing countries or new emerging economies especially in Africa is not recognized as a driving force for developing alternative socio-economic opportunities. There are few universities and institutions of high learning that offer design related courses in Africa. What could be some of the contributing factors to this scenario if design has the potential to change the society’s lives? Therefore, the goal of the Gaborone International Design Conference (GIDEC) 2013 is to lay the groundwork to build a scholarly community and advance the state of the art in design, research, theory, and practice, and produce a significant contribution to the field through the paper presentations, and conference proceedings.