One of the dominant characteristics of design in Latin countries is the subtle difference and the frequent superimposition between knowledge and practices of design, fine arts and craft. For example, there are recurrent occasions in which artists are called by companies to substitute designers and designers are involved by craftsmen to update and revitalize their practices.

The 2nd International Forum of the Latin Network will bring the process dimension of this integration to the fore. In one hand, we take for granted the knowledge typical of each area of interest, but, on the other hand, we would like to address our shared idea to the scientific and operative fields in which these three activities overlap, growing mutually and taking possession of one another’s consolidated practices.

Firstly, we imagine that this overlapping of knowledge and practices is frequently constructive for design; secondly, we suppose that the sharing of experiences purposely dedicated to throwing light upon problems and solutions of this integration, represents a timely issue for our assembly.

We think that these three fields of interest (design, fine arts and craft) have to be autonomous as disciplines, but we are interested in verifying their proximity, integration, “positive” chance of confusion and innovative energy. Thus, we would like to explore this issue giving a particular role to the interdisciplinary integration which rides innovation and culminates in innovation.

Keydates

April, 10th - Deadline for participation requests
April, 30th - Deadline for abstracts
May, 30th - Announcement of selected paper and publication of the full program
June 15th - Payment and registration
July 30th - Deadline for paper submission
October 28th, 29th and 30th 2010 - Forum


Scientific Committee

Prof. Vasco Branco
in charge of the hosting University, Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Prof. Flaviano Celaschi
coordinator of the Latin network, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Prof. Sebàstian Garcia Garrido
chairman of the 3rd Session, Universidad de Malaga, Spain

Prof. Giuseppe Lotti
chairman of the 2nd Session, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy

Prof. Carlos Texeira
chairman of the 1st Session, The New School University, New York, USA

Prof. Paulo Belo Reyes
in charge of the publication of the results, UNISINOS, Porto Alegre, Brazil


About The Latin Network

The Latin Network of Design as a Process is a network of researchers and institutions that aim to build a debate around the hypothesis that design processes have a common base in the countries of Latin tradition and that this common base enables to produce an homogenous design culture that can spark product innovation with a strong Latin identity.