Introduction to the Proceedings of RSD9 of Relating Systems Thinking and Design
Carlos Teixeira
"I’m trying to explore this complex space of innovation because I think that in the design field, we have reached our limit of understanding the type of issues and challenges that we are working on as wicked problems. I think that one of the main theoretical frameworks that have been supporting the design activity was a move from problem-solving into wicked problems. Then we have a lot of newer practices in design that started exploring how do we deal with wicked problems. That kind of approach and framing is still guiding the design activity, even as we deal with completely different types of challenges and situations, as well as trying to move the design practice into new areas and new territories. I'm trying to use this place-holder, meaning the complex space of innovation, as a concept to be able to explore new interpretations about these type of challenges."
RSD8 was held on October 13-15, 201 and hosted by the IIT Institute of Design (ID), a graduate school teaching systemic, human-centred design. The proceedings reflect experimentation, rigorous methods, human-centeredness, and strategy.
Justyna Swat, Tobias Luthe, and Birger Sevaldson facilitated a fishbowl open think tank harvesting session to explore what kind of values, direction and currencies may advance the academic discourse and the designerly practice of SD. The five-minute short documentary gives an impression of social dynamics at work.
Photos: Institute of Design campus, and Ziyan Hossain and Dee Brooks.
RSD8 Publication Page
RSD8 Keynote. Charles Bezerra: A tribute to Charles L. Owen, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Design where he conducted research and taught until 2010 in the MDes, MDM, and PhD Design graduate programs.
RSD8 Keynote. Columbia Professor and author Saskia Sassen: Detecting what is happening, de-theorizing in order to re-theorize.
RSD8 Keynote. Carlos Teixeira was the RSD8 Co-Chair. He is the Charles L. Owen Professor in Design at IIT Institute of Design and the faculty director of the UI Action Lab.
RSD8 Keynote. Chris Rudd: The future of the community depends on ending racism.
RSD8 Keynote. Terry Irwin: Transitioning entire societies toward more sustainable long-term futures will involve ongoing systems level change over long horizons of time.