Locating Instructions Workshop

11.14.2017
Hyundai Card Design Library
Seoul, Korea
Part of Typojanchi 2017

Today, we increasingly live in an abstract world. More and more of our lives take place on the screen and digital environments. What this often means is that we have to create metaphors to understand the world around us. Explanation and articulation are becoming more the role of designers in addition to the traditional form giving roles. In his 2017 ‘Design in Tech’ report John Maeda emphasizes that writing is becoming an important ‘unicorn’ skill, like coding, that is invaluable to designers.

I think this has alot to do with how the world is becoming more abstract. In order to help people, or users, navigate the complex abstract services offered in the digital space designers must be clear in how to communicate. The naming of a button can determine the success of an app.

Therefore, this working is the meeting of three different topics under the umbrella of design: writing, performance and design. We will look at examples from contemporary art and design practices that explore instructions
as form. Then we will partake in a simple activity of performance and writing. Be prepared to have fun and be limber about how you understand design and the designer’s role in today’s society.