Combining design theory and practice

Counterfactual histories allow us to construct alternative presents from past historical events. It involves imagining events and outcomes that could have taken place, based on a fact.
In literature, alternate history is a critical medium; it opens up imaginaries that allow us to reflect on our contemporary lifestyles.
This method promises to circumvent existing material and psychological constraints, broadening our beliefs by working with other narratives and other values. In design education, speculation serves to question the dominant paradigms of product development by convening alternative imaginaries. It involves projecting what might happen to design if we make different choices.

Alternate history subtly combines design theory and practice. A rigorous historical analysis of a theme, viewed through the prism of current design practices, allows us to identify problematic elements spanning history.
This approach exposes power structures and their influence on design culture and design, such as the pervasiveness of legacy systems or the attention economy, which limit imagination and restrict the possibilities of production.

• Teaching: James Auger, Armand Behar, Céline Chip, Goliath Dyèvre, Lorène Picard, Émile de Visscher
• Student exhibitors: Elena Ahlgrim, Carla Barreto, Maë Bernard, Zoé Buranello, Marie Butard, Nina Drouillot, Selma Ferrier, Charlotte Follea, Hanna Landström, Inès Minfray, Juliette Oulié, Wonjin Park, Lucie Urgel, Dziyana Tarasenka, Marine Veillon
• Scenography: Céline Chip
• Graphic design: Morgane Aubert

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From March 29, 2024 to April 12, 2024
Location: ENS Paris-Saclay atrium
Open to the public, no registration required