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Inspired by Alexander McQueen’s approach to design that was often responding to social issues and contemporary themes, design historian Dr Harriet Edquist leads a conversation exploring the overlaps between the processes and methodologies used in various design disciplines that are informed by, and respond to, external factors.
Through a discussion covering fashion and industrial design, learn how designers are influenced by and adapt to contemporary issues such as overconsumption, climate change, identity and designing for the future.
How is their work informed by these external factors, what are the methodologies they use, and how much does the consumer influence these decisions and processes?
Moderator
Dr Harriet Edquist is a historian and curator, Professor Emerita at RMIT University, Founding Director of RMIT Design Archives and founder of RMIT Design Archives Journal. She has curated and collaborated on numerous exhibitions and associated books. These include Dream Factory. GMH Design at Fishermans Bend 1964-2020 (City Gallery 2021); Melbourne Modern. European art and design at RMIT since 1945 (RMIT Gallery 2019); Shifting gear. Design, innovation and the Australian car (NGV 2015); Free, Secular and Democratic: building the Public Library 1853-1913 (SLV 2013) and, Michael O’Connell. The Lost Modernist (Bendigo Art Gallery 2011). Her present exhibition, curated with Helen Stuckey is Radical Utopia: an archaeology of a creative city at RMIT Gallery until 27 May.
Speakers
Dr Jenny Underwood is the Associate Dean, Fashion and Textiles Technology, in the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT University. She is a textile designer and researcher, working at the nexus of design, art, technology, and science. She is recognised internationally as a leading expert in advanced knit design and 3d seamless knitting technology. Jenny’s research practice brings together understandings of textile material behaviour, generative design, digital fabrication, and physical prototyping to develop novel material systems for responsible innovation within the context of fashion and architecture.
Dr Nyein Chan Aung is an industrial designer, design researcher, and artist. He serves as the Program Director of Imaging Technology Design Research at Monash Design Health Collab. He currently leads groundbreaking projects such as the world’s smallest CT Brain Scanner and a Self Screening Airport Security Checkpoint. Nyein’s award-winning PhD produced a patented aircraft cabin design that enhances sleep for economy passengers. With over AUD$4.5M in research grants, 94 commercialised designs, and 31 patents, Nyein has earned numerous awards both in Australia and internationally. He is dedicated to a life-long mission to “Make Cool Stuff.”
Dr Caroline Wallace is an art historian and Lecturer in Visual Art at La Trobe University. With a research focus on the relationship between art, artists and social change, she has published on topics including artist-activism, museum studies and feminist public art. She is currently completing a book on the social space of American museums in the late 1960s entitled The Right to the Museum: Race Gender and Power in New York City Museums.
