Design Innovation

IDI specialises in critical explorations on the roles, practices, methods, frameworks and concepts of design. Our research touches upon debates on how design shapes societal futures through addressing the challenges of livelihoods, economics, education, democracy, society, ecology and sustainability through design. We have expertise in design innovation and management, participatory design, service design, design anthropology, ethnographic field research, visual culture, museum studies, gender studies, speculative methods and semiotics. Our interdisciplinary approach draws on theories from entrepreneurship, innovation management, organisational and institutional theory, grassroots innovation, social movement studies, visual culture, media and communications, cultural studies, anthropology, science and technology studies, and political economy. 

The Institute’s research agenda is about FLUX: futures, cultures, praxis. Designing in instances of flux means to design with movement and change, in the context of contemporary societal challenges. By researching through the lens of FLUX we aim to derive meaning that is productive of and generative to new design practices and knowledge. This speaks to new and emerging modes of design as well as movements such as data-driven design, design activism, design entrepreneurship, decolonizing design, design for transformation, ontological design, critical design, more-than-human design, and more.

Have a look at our recent FLUX symposium event here.

FUTURES:

This is about design in social processes of transformation considering catalysts of change, be they social, cultural, political, economic, or technological.

  • What movements are impacting on design and how is design impacting social transformations? What futures are being designed? What is the role of design in future-making? How is the design of technologies shaping these futures? What are the socio-political and ecological implications of these futures?

Keywords: Sustainability, Futuring, Collective Action, Activism, Technology Movements, Democracy, Trends, Power, Politics

CULTURES:

This is about the cultural contexts and communities within which and with whom we are designing and implementing new visions for society.

  • Which communities are we designing for and with? How do we consider different cultures of design? What is design in the creative industries today? How do we design for innovative policies? How do we design in communities for new institutions? What does it mean to design collaborative innovation? How can these be inclusive and creative?

Keywords: Communities, Design for Policy, Design Publics, Ecologies, Social Movements, Ecosystems, Services, Publics Service Innovation, Institutions, Power, Agency, Ideology/ Institutional Logics, Creative Industries, Heritage

PRAXIS:

This is about the performativity, practices and the management and organising of design.

  • How does design organise and manage? What design processes and practices are needed to realise new institutions and changes in society?
  • How does design make meaning? What are the knowledge structures of design? What values and ideals does design perform through its aesthetics, language and cultures?

Keywords: Aesthetics, Value, Performativity, Practices, Discourse, Epistemology, Ontology, Innovation, Management, Strategy

Supporting you

The Institute for Design Innovation is led by a faculty of inspiring, research-driven academics, who are committed to supporting research students to make their own discoveries. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with businesses, organisations and governing bodies, to ensure that your research has the ability to serve a multitude of real-world applications.

How to apply

All PhD applications must be made online. We strongly recommend contacting your preferred research supervisor(s) in advance of submitting an application to discuss your ideas.

Our PhD opportunities

By pursuing one of our postgraduate research programmes, you will have the opportunity to work with top researchers and industry leaders, and gain first-hand experience of problem-solving. Our aim is to create a vibrant, enthusiastic and forward-thinking community, where world-leading academics and talented doctoral researchers work closely together on developing innovative solutions to real-world problems.

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Did you know?

The internationally-renowned, annual Academy for Design Innovation Management International Research Conference was held at Loughborough University London in 2019.

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