Abstract
Walking backwards is proposed as a radical design practice as it creates time/spaces in-between needed to counter dominant narratives focused on effectivity. So-called time-saving technologies, instead of creating possibilities for free, spontaneous, unstructured, embodied time, add more time and space for production and consumption. Walking backwards is explored as a relevant practice to learn to work in-between complexities, certainty, and uncertainty. Even though walking is a widely recognised and explored method within the arts and academia, the practice of walking backwards has not been studied for the purposes proposed in this text. The aim is to problematise the notion of efficiency and how it affects how we relate to design and research. Also, to contribute to change by proposing an embodied practice that creates time/spaces to slow down, reflect, and think differently, facilitating designing and researching otherwise. Walking backwards is always done in collaboration with the environment and has the potential to support participatory work with other designers/researchers and participants. It is radical in its accessibility, inclusivity and potential to change how we as designers relate to design and futures.
Keywords
Walking backwards, Design practice, Time/spaces, In-between, Uncertainity
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2023.102
Citation
Olofsdotter Bergström, A.,and Restrepo-Giraldo, J.(2023) Walking backwards as a radical practice for design, in Holmlid, S., Rodrigues, V., Westin, C., Krogh, P. G., Mäkelä, M., Svanaes, D., Wikberg-Nilsson, Å (eds.), Nordes 2023: This Space Intentionally Left Blank, 12-14 June, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden. https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2023.102
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
researchpapers
Walking backwards as a radical practice for design
Walking backwards is proposed as a radical design practice as it creates time/spaces in-between needed to counter dominant narratives focused on effectivity. So-called time-saving technologies, instead of creating possibilities for free, spontaneous, unstructured, embodied time, add more time and space for production and consumption. Walking backwards is explored as a relevant practice to learn to work in-between complexities, certainty, and uncertainty. Even though walking is a widely recognised and explored method within the arts and academia, the practice of walking backwards has not been studied for the purposes proposed in this text. The aim is to problematise the notion of efficiency and how it affects how we relate to design and research. Also, to contribute to change by proposing an embodied practice that creates time/spaces to slow down, reflect, and think differently, facilitating designing and researching otherwise. Walking backwards is always done in collaboration with the environment and has the potential to support participatory work with other designers/researchers and participants. It is radical in its accessibility, inclusivity and potential to change how we as designers relate to design and futures.