Exploring “Supernatural Design”
A Convergence of Nature, Creativity, and the Unnatural Pathways to Innovation
In the wake of transformative global changes, the IDSA Publications Committee is proud to announce the theme for its Summer issue: Supernatural Design.
This theme invites a reflective exploration of the threshold between natural and designed systems and their intertwined pathways that shape our world and perceptions. As we delve into the realms where natural processes meet human creativity, we encourage designers, authors, thinkers, and innovators to contribute articles that not only illuminate thought leadership but also challenge the conventional boundaries of design and naturalness.
We are looking for submissions that cover a wide array of topics including, but not limited to:
- Climate Change: How is design responding to the challenges of climate change? Where are the success projects? Is design inspired by natural processes sufficient?
- Design as a Natural Thing Through Biomimicry: Explore design principles that mimic or are inspired by nature. How do these principles influence modern design philosophies?
- Ecology and Design: Design is the unnatural player in ecological balance. How is design contributing to ecological restoration or is it post-natural world? Where is industrial strength good?
- Perceptions of Natural vs. Unnatural: What is the meaning of natural or not? What is natural design? What philosophical and cultural bias is natural?
- Control vs. Natural Flow: The tension between trying to control systems and allowing things to happen naturally: how does this tension manifest in design practices? What are examples of mass-market nature?
- Creativity as a Natural Pathway: Is creativity inherently a natural pathway to design? Should this habit be broken to explore more ‘unnatural’ pathways to innovation? Is design an unlimited natural resource?
- Design’s Natural Attraction: Engaging in design as a natural attraction—what draws individuals to design, and how does this shape the creative process?
- AI and Unnatural Design: The impact and influence of artificial intelligence on creating pathways to design that are considered ‘unnatural.’ How does AI challenge our definitions of creativity and natural design?
- Making the World Better Naturally: If human impact on nature is unnatural what is the “better world” design creates? Are the solutions inspired by natural processes or post-natural?
- Intersectionality of Natural and Supernatural Design: Consider supernatural or beyond the natural world’s constraints—ghosts, paranormal or superhero. What kind of future can we design?
- Natural Production: New and exciting sustainable or supernatural materials are developed to reduce waste. Do they solve a problem or do they make new ones? As designers how do you navigate this changing material landscape?
We value and invite submissions from a diverse range of voices, including industry professionals, academic researchers, independent designers, and passionate writers with a keen eye for design and culture. Articles should be well-researched, engaging, and provide a novel perspective on the theme. Content need not be confined to the written word; ideas can be conveyed through graphic statements, poetry, photo essays, and other creative mediums.
Submission Guidelines
- Articles should be between 1,000–1,500 words, if submitting written content
- Submissions must be original and not previously published or generated from AI
- Please include a brief bio (up to 25 words) and a headshot with your submission
- Submit your article in a Word document
- Please include 2-3 high-resolution graphics, more is OK too, related to your submission (300 dpi) with proper credits and permissions
Deadline to submit your article: COB, May 15, 2024 Send all submissions to [email protected].
Questions? Please email IDSA’s Executive Director, Donté Shannon at [email protected].