Boundaries of human-centred design – speculative design and the post-human state

Date: 2022.12.14

A book entitled Boundaries of human-centred design – speculative design and the post-human state by teacher of MOME’s Institute for Theoretical Studies Ákos Schneider was published by Typotex.

The book is searching for alternative starting points for contemporary design culture, and seeks to speculatively recalibrate the temporal and spatial dimensions of design in an inescapable situation that blurs the lines between the natural and the artificial.

“We comfortably exist as strangers in our own world – this is the essential design problem the book reflects on”, writes the author, who attempts to offer a critique of human-centred design from the perspective of the ecological crisis and network technology in order to open up new vistas for a broader design culture. Man as “the measure of everything” is becoming less and less of a constant as we live entangled in posthuman systems, while the internal mechanisms of devices are obscured by the handy, well-designed interfaces. User experiences and friendly interfaces can lead to misunderstanding of ourselves, and “good design” can help put a human face on a world that exceeds the human scale. The book is searching for alternative starting points for contemporary design culture, and seeks to speculatively recalibrate the temporal and spatial dimensions of design in an inescapable situation that blurs the lines between the natural and the artificial.

The book can be ordered from the publisher’s website at https://www.typotex.hu/book/12822/az_emberkozpontu_tervezes_hatarai

The original version is also available here open access.

More news

Directorate for Grants and Development celebrates an exceptionally successful year

The MOME Directorate for Grants and Development has closed an outstanding year, securing multimillion-euro funding for a diverse range of research projects, including AR Symposium, Zenctuary VR+, and Waterside Voices. These projects span fields as diverse as urban development, nature conservation, contemporary dance, and the application of cutting-edge VR technology in healthcare. For the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), bringing its projects to life to address the complex challenges of the 21st century is a top priority. As state funding is becoming increasingly scarce, securing and effectively utilising grant opportunities has emerged as a critical strategic focus.

Dare to dream: MOME at the most personal career orientation festival

What makes MOME appealing to young people? This question was explored in depth by the MOME delegation at the 8th Konnekt Live Career Orientation Festival that included designer and lecturer Dániel Ruppert, Animation student Enikő Svarcz, Textile Design BA student András Parag, and graphic designer and MOME alumna Dóra Sirály. In a discussion with the audience aged 16 to 20, the team shared insights into their respective fields, explained the admission process, and discussed the career opportunities available to MOME graduates.

Every relationship leaves its mark on you

Another triumph: MOME diploma film competes at the Berlinale! Mirjána Balogh’s animation Wish You Were Ear will represent Hungary at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, which begins on 13 February. Created in 2024 as a diploma film at the Animation programme of Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), with support from the National Film Institute (NFI), the film will make its international debut in the Generation 14+ programme. Selected from thousands of entries, this thought-provoking animation explores how romantic relationships leave lasting impressions on our sense of self.

All News