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Happy affect: harnessing chance and uncertainly in design practice

conference contribution
posted on 2019-01-01, 00:00 authored by Akari Nakai KiddAkari Nakai Kidd, Kelly Salchow MacArthur
This paper engages with recent discourses on affect and design research, arguing that such dialogue offers a particularly useful set of ideas to extend our understanding of design research as a creative and active force for rethinking ideas about design across disciplines. Calling upon the theory of affect as explored by Sara Ahmed, the authors analyse two object-making case studies—one from an American graphic design practice, and another from a French architectural practice. Recognizing the uncertain nature of creative practices, the paper offers an understanding of ‘sticky’ and happy affects embodied in the making of, and use of everyday objects, such as mailboxes and recycled pallets, which keep bodies in the present because of a non-cathartic, less forceful affectual condition. Indeed ‘sticky’ happy affects propose alternative ways of comprehending the multiple forces involved in creative practices invested in design research. Such exploration illuminates not only the work of the designer, but also the engagement as users, where the work is never complete.

History

Volume

22

Pagination

1747-1760

Location

Dundee, Scotland

Open access

  • Yes

Start date

2019-04-10

End date

2019-04-12

ISSN

1460-6925

eISSN

1756-3062

Language

eng

Publication classification

E1 Full written paper - refereed

Copyright notice

2019, the author(s)

Editor/Contributor(s)

Valentine L, Bletcher J, Cruickshank L

Title of proceedings

EAD 2019 : Running with scissors : Proceedings of the 13th International Conference of the European Academy of Design 2019

Event

European Academic of Design. Conference (13th : 2019 : Dundee, Scotland)

Issue

sup1

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Place of publication

Abingdon, Eng.

Series

European Academic of Design Conference

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