Abstract
This exploratory paper contributes to the development of relational design as a methodology by examining how relational design unfolds – or fails to unfold – within the context of the development and research project X. Mobilities both create and disrupt relations, making our engagement in the X project particularly suitable for investigating where and how relational design operates, as well as the effects it can achieve. Specifically, we analyze how relational design, when developed through fieldwork, within the particular project constellation of X, and through engagements with mobilities studies, is nurtured, constrained, and problematized. We emphasize that designing relationally is an act – a distinct way of designing with the world – and advocate for further research into the goods and bads of relational design as a methodology that supports design researchers in engaging with a troubled world.
Keywords
Rural mobility, Relational design, Design Methodology
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2025.51
Citation
Holst, S., Petersen, M.K., Poulsen, M., Lindek, A.,and Schmidauer, M.(2025) Designing with rural mobilities: Attempts at relational design, in Brandt, E., Markussen, T., Berglund, E., Julier, G., Linde, P. (eds.), Nordes 2025: Relational Design, 6-8 August, Oslo, Norway. https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2025.51
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Exploratory Papers
Included in
Designing with rural mobilities: Attempts at relational design
This exploratory paper contributes to the development of relational design as a methodology by examining how relational design unfolds – or fails to unfold – within the context of the development and research project X. Mobilities both create and disrupt relations, making our engagement in the X project particularly suitable for investigating where and how relational design operates, as well as the effects it can achieve. Specifically, we analyze how relational design, when developed through fieldwork, within the particular project constellation of X, and through engagements with mobilities studies, is nurtured, constrained, and problematized. We emphasize that designing relationally is an act – a distinct way of designing with the world – and advocate for further research into the goods and bads of relational design as a methodology that supports design researchers in engaging with a troubled world.