Self-designing protests: Exploring participatory design activism through the Colombian graphic (design) explosion

Marlom Aguiar Guayacan, Cyril Tjahja*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

This paper explores the notion of participatory design activism to describe design interventions that fall in between participatory design and design activism, arising organically through self-organisation. Illustrated by three examples from the Colombian graphic (design) explosion, which occurred during the mass protests in 2021, a case is made to decentre the designer from the process, arguing that protests are instead (co)designed by a variety of actors. The nature of the interventions described show that participatory design can make a difference through its marriage to design activism. In this context, designers take a step back and allow others to use, appropriate and expand on their creative concepts, effectively self-designing the protest as well as its surrounding environment.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPDC '22
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the Participatory Design Conference 2022 - Volume 2
EditorsVasilis Vlachokyriakos, Joyce Yee, Christopher Frauenberger, Melisa Duque Hurtado, Nicolai Hansen, Angelika Strohmayer, Izak Van Zyl, Andy Dearden, Reem Talhouk, Cally Gatehouse, Donna Leishman, Shana Agid, Mariacristina Sciannamblo, Jennyfer Taylor, Andrea Botero, Chiara Del Gaudio, Yoko Akama, Rachel Clarke, John Vines
PublisherACM
Pages103-110
Number of pages8
Volume2
ISBN (Electronic)9781450396813
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2022

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Keywords

  • Participatory design activism
  • Participatory design
  • Design activism
  • Colombia
  • Collective action

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