Alternative experimental approaches in design for systematic methods
“Waiting like listening and meandering is best when it is an active and not a passive state”.
Ann Hamilton
Since the recognition of design as a profession, design theories, definitions, approaches, and teaching methods have always changed. It sometimes leaned towards science and systematic methods, sometimes towards art and intuition, although these tendencies were always controversial. Today, under the influence of technological developments, complexities of upcoming problems, increasing belief in the competence of scientifically based standards research, and growing interest in materials research among designers, design is closer to science. However, the question remains that while the science-based enframing is seen by many philosophers and thinkers as a potential danger, whether this strong direction toward science or systematic methods is wise. This thesis endeavors to introduce alternative approaches for relying on the information, systematic design methods, and scientific research in the design process.
This work sees the problem in the missing concept of poiesis in the science-based design process. It suggests that this concept can be achieved through active experience, an exploratory approach, which is attained in different ways, such as not-knowing, unlearning, and exformation. In this path, what to make and why to make are the questions that poiesis responds to. Here, I should emphasize that poiesis in design does not indicate returning to craftsmanship but merely an attempt to re-think design philosophy and the designer’s worldview before any ideation and making. My dissertation explores the semantic and structural connection between design and poiesis. It will illustrate how design is an evolutionary learning process, a process of active experiencing, exploring, discovery, intuition, understanding, and interpretation.
| 2014-2017 | MSc. in Product Design, Sapienza University, Rome |
| 2009-2011 | MA in Fine Arts, Soore University, Tehran |
| 2001-2005 | MA in Fine Arts, Alzahra University, Tehran |
| 2006-2007 | Product Designer / Interior Designer, ‘Arman Naghsh Architecture’, Tehran |
| 2007-2014 | Entrepreneur, Designer and Instructor, ‘Afarinesh Ceramic and Pottery Studio’, Tehran |
| SoSe 2019 | Teaching Assistant, ‘Lab Culture’ Course (development of projects with organic materials), KISD, Cologne |
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February 2019 |
”Poiesis and Pottery ” Workshop, KHM, Cologne |
| May 2019 | ”Algea” workshop, Biomaterial Experiment, KISD, Cologne |
| April 2019 | ”Growing leather-like material from Kombucha tea” Workshop, Biomaterial Experiment, KISD, Cologne |
| 2016-2017 | Collaboration Scholarship, Course and Admission Advisor, Sapienza University, Rome |
| WSe 2015 | Advanced Course Scholarship, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Sapienza University, Rome |
- Design research
- Product design
- Design philosophy
- Design pedagogy
- Phenomenology in design
- Studying the “Meta” Properties of Iranian Ancient Handmade Products Resulted from the Designer’s Worldview , Mohammadganjee. Z, Ninth European Conference of Iranian Studies (ECIS 9), Berlin. http://ecis9.de/
- The Role of Philosopher Designer in Defining New Attitude towards Nature , Mohammadganjee.Z, Shahhoseiny.S, The Design Journal, 22: sup1, 1715-1722, DOI: 10.1080 / 14606925.2019.1595003
- Salt Glazing in Low Temperature, an Empirical Investigation on Sustainable Materials in Product Design , Mohammadganjee . Z, Almas Magazine, issues 25 & 26
