Neurodiversity is the broadly recognised idea that there are many types of minds. The concept has received a huge increase in awareness over the past decade. Neurodiversity is the rejection of the idea of a neurotypical mind as a default and correctly functioning mind.
About 14 percent of the population identifies as neurodivergent, a term that includes not only autism but also dyspraxia, dyslexia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, among others. If we are also to include people with other disabilities, it means that a considerable part of the population functions, learns, and processes information differently.
For example, some people are hypersensitive and others hyposensitive. Hypersensitive means that they have acute reactions to sensory stimulation where they might be overwhelmed by smells, noise, or proximity to others and prefer order and structure, whereas the hyposensitive need more stimulation such as physical movement or music to engage and require more vigorous environments to focus.
Attuning to such differences and designing access to public institutions such as the HfG and the ZKM with a broad range of sensitivities in mind, leads to better and more exciting experiences for everyone. It is like neurodivergent folks hold a mirror of sensitivities of public life to the rest of the population, helping everyone to become more sensible designers. Finding ways to increase sensitivity might also connect people in better ways to the more-than-human world, as we will explore in a branch of the seminar.
What it means practically:
After we spend some time reading relevant literature, watching films and videos, and getting input from external guests to better understand the discourse, we will design usable objects such as sound objects, weighted clothing, vibrating furniture, meditation apps, protocols for different senses, cocoons for withdrawal from overstimulation, and horizontal installations that critically examine the fundamental principles of accessible design.
The project is being realized in collaboration with the ZKM | Karlsruhe, as part of their ongoing research into the idea of “Arte Útil” (useful art) which examines art and technology as tools for sociopolitical change. The collaboration with ZKM will support the seminar to think through potentials of co-creating, “real-life” testing as well as exhibiting art and design.
This seminar will continue in SoSe 26 and it would be good to take the seminar both semesters, but not obligatory.
About 14 percent of the population identifies as neurodivergent, a term that includes not only autism but also dyspraxia, dyslexia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, among others. If we are also to include people with other disabilities, it means that a considerable part of the population functions, learns, and processes information differently.
For example, some people are hypersensitive and others hyposensitive. Hypersensitive means that they have acute reactions to sensory stimulation where they might be overwhelmed by smells, noise, or proximity to others and prefer order and structure, whereas the hyposensitive need more stimulation such as physical movement or music to engage and require more vigorous environments to focus.
Attuning to such differences and designing access to public institutions such as the HfG and the ZKM with a broad range of sensitivities in mind, leads to better and more exciting experiences for everyone. It is like neurodivergent folks hold a mirror of sensitivities of public life to the rest of the population, helping everyone to become more sensible designers. Finding ways to increase sensitivity might also connect people in better ways to the more-than-human world, as we will explore in a branch of the seminar.
What it means practically:
After we spend some time reading relevant literature, watching films and videos, and getting input from external guests to better understand the discourse, we will design usable objects such as sound objects, weighted clothing, vibrating furniture, meditation apps, protocols for different senses, cocoons for withdrawal from overstimulation, and horizontal installations that critically examine the fundamental principles of accessible design.
The project is being realized in collaboration with the ZKM | Karlsruhe, as part of their ongoing research into the idea of “Arte Útil” (useful art) which examines art and technology as tools for sociopolitical change. The collaboration with ZKM will support the seminar to think through potentials of co-creating, “real-life” testing as well as exhibiting art and design.
This seminar will continue in SoSe 26 and it would be good to take the seminar both semesters, but not obligatory.
- Dozent/in: Valentina Karga