25 Jun, 2013

Open Set – summer school

OPEN SET Dutch Graphic Design Summer School consists in a two-week series of workshops emphasizing on the interaction between noted Dutch and International graphic designers within a studio environment. This year’s edition takes place in Breda, The Netherlands, from 19th till 31st of August 2013.

As the theme for this year’s edition we will question the role of “Autonomy” in a totally designed culture and it’s influence on social values. We assembled this idea under a single term called “Commonomy”. The starting point of the discussion is the critical role of the designer within the cultural, political and technological development and the designer’s influence on social changes. We are focusing on what design can bring into the life of a community and on how design can be influenced by social processes.
Is there a place for the traditional meaning of Autonomy within the field of design or it should be redefined? We will examine the methods, aesthetics and techniques of critical, social engaged design which takes place in contemporary times.

Open Set is structured to offer participants the opportunity to experiment with different design approaches as well as share their ideas with colleagues from around the world. The event is addressed to young designers, creators and thinkers fascinated and passioned by their profession. The goal of the event is to promote the quality of design and enhance it’s social value by creating a platform for debates, exchange of knowledge and experience.
In order to reach this goal we invited tutors and lecturers with different approaches as Jonathan Barnbrook, Petr van Blokland, Catalogtree, Jan van Toorn, Martijn Engelbregt, Max Bruinsma, Geert Lovink, Ekim Tan and Casco.