8th International Design Conference & 15th Students Design Review
AGRAFA 2024 – Reflection
The rapid progress of technology and advanced information tools mean that we make fewer and fewer decisions in our everyday lives. Our preferences are aggregated in services and devices that help us in our numerous small tasks on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), related systems of information exchange and everyday operations on gigabytes of data, move us away from analogue reality and our own resourcefulness. They tempt us with attractive, quick and accessible solutions that “make life easier”. In return, they demand access to a small – only seemingly – amount of data about ourselves. The world does not require us to be attentive and to practice correct spelling and counting, to understand whole structures, it only requires efficient use of technologies that write, calculate, suggest… and finally create. As a result, we are moving away not only from humanism, but also from the everyday practice of reflectivity.
For design, reflection and reflexivity seem to be essential. This raises a question: how will the changing reality affect the work of designers?
This problem could not but become the topic of the next edition of the AGRAFA project.
The event is part of the celebrations of the European City of Science Katowice 2024.
Programme ’24
Pre-conference Workshops
22.–24.04
3-days workshop
22.04. Monday 9.00-14.00
23.04. Tuesday 9.00-14.00
24.04. Wednesday 9.00-14.00
This assignment will consist of a series of experimental steps, combining form and content through images and typography. The final result will be an eight page zine that expresses an assigned text from the book, Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino. Your zine design will use typographic space and prescribed format to reveal your cities hidden structures, textures, and atmosphere. You will design the using both text, image and/or incorporate drawings, or other graphic elements.
AFA Katowice, Koszarowa 19 st., room 111/112
Projekt Thomas Wedell. Sztuka komunikacji wizualnej: od formy do znaczenia | Cykl edukacyjny i wystawa” został dofinansowany przez Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowską Metropolię w ramach Programu „Metropolitalny Fundusz Wspierania Nauki” w latach 2022–2024”
23.04
workshop for academic teachers
23.04 Wednesday 15.00–18.00
Each teacher will be asked to write in english rules or boundaries for a class context with radical equality between students and teacher. How do you grade and give feedback? How do you deal with unmotivated or blocked students? Can design education truly be radical?
Kato Science Corner, ul. Młyńska 2
24.04.
workshop for students
24.04 Thursday 9.00–12.00
Katowice was the mining capital of Poland. How did that history relate to its design industry? Find archive images of the 50 coals mines in the region and choose a logo of one the companies or subcontractors. Research how one of the coal company history is connected with the design industry today. On one 100 x 70 cm sheet you draw the logo on large scale with charcoal. On the second 100 x 70 cm sheet you use pencil make a infographic to show how that coal company is connected to the design industry.
AFA Katowice, ul. Koszarowa 19, room 209
workshop for students
24.04 Thursday 15.00–18.00
We make a zine in one day collectively collecting ideas, places, and materials to make a DIY anticapitalist design printing studio. How do you print? Where do you find paper? How do you distribute? We divide in groups according to each part of the design process, and easch group research the options and comes up with ideas. Then you draw instructions with marker only using printed out text and hand drawn illustrations/typography. They can also be slogans or rough ideas! This is a rapid production workshop; we print the zine at the end of the day.
AFA Katowice, ul. Koszarowa 19, room 209
Conference
26.04. CONFERENCE | ASP Katowice, ul. Raciborska 50, Sala Otwarta
| 8.00 | Registration, coffee |
| 9.00 | Opening of the conference led by Agnieszka Nawrocka |
| 9.15 | City-laboratory Paweł Jaworski Experimental Urbanism | PLAleksandra Hantkiewicz-Lejman The Silesian University of Technology | PL |
| 9:45 | Explaining power markets with graphs Juha Teirilä Energiavirasto – Energy Authority | FI |
| 10:15 | The future is boring – the algorithmic capitalist aesthetic Ruben Pater EINA University School of Design and Art, Elisava School of Design and Engineering, BAU College of Arts & Design | NL |
| 10.45–11:15 | discussion led by Anna Kopaczewska |
| 11.15 | — coffee break — |
| 11:45 | Agata Nguyen Chuong Inherited testimonies and restituting evidence: Reflections on environmental and colonial violence Forensic Architectures | UK |
| 12:15 | Oliver Herwig The rule(s) of Hybrid Design University of Arts Linz | DE |
| 12:45 | Joanna Murzyn Encoded dialogues: human beings in relationship with technological entities Digital Ecology Institute | PL |
| 13:15 | Creative Ecosystem: a holistic approach for better work-life balance Emmi Salonen Studio Emmi | FI |
| 13:45–14:15 | discussion led by Justyna Szklarczyk-Lauer |
| 14.15 | — lunch — |
| 15:15 | Thomas Wedell Overlap/Dissolve: Reflections on a 40+ year partnership – open lectureRISD Rhode Island School of Design | USA Projekt Thomas Wedell. Sztuka komunikacji wizualnej: od formy do znaczenia | Cykl edukacyjny i wystawa” został dofinansowany przez Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowską Metropolię w ramach Programu „Metropolitalny Fundusz Wspierania Nauki” w latach 2022–2024” |
Conference Workshops
| 16:00–18:00 | workshop of your choice – sign up here! ASP Katowice, różne lokalizacje |
workshop
26.04. Friday 16.00–18.00
Karolina Hołdys, Piotr Pacałowski | AFA Katowice
The workshop aims to show the possibilities of using waste material to design a new product.
Participants will have the opportunity to create material from coffee grounds and starch, which will then be used to make a small pot for a plant seedling (e.g. sunflower). They will learn the advantages of using coffee as a moisture-retaining material providing valuable minerals to the plant and, above all, as an easy, biodegradable alternative to plastic casings that have dominated the market for years and increase the problem of plastic recycling. A plant in such a pot could be planted by the participants at the end of the workshop in the garden of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design.
AFA Katowice, Raciborska 50, Workshop
workshop
26.04. Friday 16.00–18.00
Bogdan Kosak
The tangible result of the workshop will be a ceramic vessel, not necessarily one whose form will clearly indicate its use. The aim of the workshop is primarily the experience of applying individual inner knowledge.
After learning about the qualities of 5 clays, each workshop participant will choose one that meets their needs. With their eyes closed, within one hour they will model the vessel, relying solely on intuition. They will learn how important it is to cooperate with the material and what effects “listening” to the clay can bring, instead of imposing a previously invented idea or shape on it. The subject of reflection will be the pottery practice and an attempt to recognize mētis, the moment of using only the hands with their own memory, guided only by the sense of touch.
AFA Katowice, Raciborska 37, plein air garden workshop
workshop
26.04. Friday 16.00–18.00
Jacek Vasina
The workshop aims to familiarize participants with the concept of guerrilla design, design work in the spirit of DIY, and to fnd a compromise between the needs of others and one’s own ideas/interests.
AFA Katowice, Raciborska 50, room 203
workshop
26.04. Friday 16.00–18.00
Emmi Salonen
Emmi believes the key to nourishing our creative energy lies in design thinking and the creative process itself. Through five key input areas, her holistic approach focuses on embracing curiosity and fostering self-kindness.
By prioritising these elements, you can unlock your full creative potential and produce output that is both innovative and effective, whilst fostering resilience and being mindful of self-care. Learn to recognise areas in your everyday, that give you energy and inspiration.
AFA Katowice, Raciborska 37, Senate room
workshop
26.04. Friday 16.00–18.00
Anna Pohl, Paweł Szeibel
We would like to invite you to explore the sensory perception of space. We will propose some exercises to help you find out how changing your perspective will affect the creative process.
Practices that support creativity, empathy or mindfulness are often simple and easy exercises. We will be inspired by the activities of the Institute of Spatial Experiments founded by Olafur Eliasson, practicing a form of communal experience of the connections between art, science and life.
AFA Katowice, Raciborska 50, courtyard
workshop
26.04. Friday 16.00–18.00
Małgorzata Rozenau
The workshops aim to improve the participants’ knowledge of breathing as the simplest tool for relaxation and self-regulation. Breathing exercises, relaxation and visual recording of reflections.
During the workshop, we will learn about our own breathing, thanks to simple yoga and pranayama exercises, through breathing meditation and relaxation, which lead to oxygenation, easing of tension, the feeling of joy and a sense of enlargement of the “inner space”. By experiencing different phases and qualities of breathing, we will look for a path to our inner mindfulness. We will learn breathing methods that can be used in situations requiring concentration or stress management, gaining practical skills. Our exploration of the therapeutic effects of breathing will also be accompanied by an attempt to visually record our observations and sensations, i.e. note what cannot be seen, but what can be felt throughout the body. An additional element of the workshops is Lotos – a breathing installation. It is a portable, foldable object, easy to place anywhere – also in public spaces. Its form is inspired by the shape and symbolism of the lotus flower. Its interior is equipped with seat cushions, headphones and a speaker with a 3-minute guided breathing meditation. Lotos is a mobile, someway isolated space for short meditation. It is intended to encourage inner mindfulness, focus on breathing and use the relaxation techniques that are available to us at any time, without unnecessary means.
AFA Katowice, Raciborska 50, room 217
workshop
26.04. Friday 16.00–18.00
Andżelika Rumińska
Come to the bookbinding workshop and make your notebook in A5 format. You can use various kinds of paper and make a soft cardboard cover, or a harder one from textured cardboard. Then you can sew the whole thing together with thread. Finally, in the typesetting shop, you will be able to emboss or stamp on the finished notebook letters or a short text arranged in front of you from selected fonts.
AFA Katowice, Koszarowa 19, Bookbindery & Typesetting room
workshop
26.04. Friday 16.00–18.00
Michalina W. Klasik
The workshop aims to present screen printing technology in terms of its possibilities using this technique in upcycling and as a tool for creating inclusive, impactful messages.
Discussion and demonstration of the serigraphic technological process, personalized printing of eco slogans and exposed plant fragments on T-shirts and bags, as an additional print for existing products (including those promoting the event) and additionally (for those interested) – on the participants’ clothes (they must have unprinted surfaces and be in light colours). Participants will visit a screen printing studio and follow the process of preparing a screen printing matrix. Then, using the instructor-prepared matrices with slogans and exposed plant fragments, they will make personalized prints on T-shirts and bags. Some of the materials are provided by the organizer, but you can also bring your own clothes to add a print on
AFA Katowice, Koszarowa 19, room 201/202
Zapisy na warsztaty odbędą się niezależnie od rejestracji na konferencję i nie będą wymagały wniesienia opłaty za udział. Więcej szczegółów wkrótce!
Young Agrafa 16.30–18.30
Young Agrafa, as the younger sister of Agrafa, gives a platform for young designers to present their ideas and thoughts to a wider audience. For this reason, we are accepting applications from those currently studying at design universities or who have defended their degree no earlier than 2022 (BA, MA or PhD). The event will take place on 26 April 2024 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, right after the main part of the Agrafa 2024 conference.
26.04. YOUNG AGRAFA | AFAD Katowice, ul. Raciborska 50, Sala Kinowa
| 16.30–16.50 | Behind the Agrafa. How to design a conference Agrafa Design Team Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice |
| 16.50–17.10 | Dreaming collectively. A dialogue on speculative design Patrycja Żyżniewska Academy of Arts in Sczzecin |
| 17.10–17.30 | Digital Overload. Designing for intentional use of technology Szymon Łabuś Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice |
| 17.30–17.50 | Design as a tool of social change Oliwer Okręglicki Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice |
| 17.50–18.10 | Increasing fine motor skills in post-stroke patients Ergonomic Design Studio: Paweł Mendera (speaker) Lidia Magiera, Agata Wajda, Piotr Pryk, Wiktoria Kuchta, Agnieszka Tylka Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow |
| 18.10–18.30 | Design for repair / repair the design Olga Konik Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow |
Exhibition opening – Roundabout Art Gallery
AFA Gallery Rondo Sztuki, Rondo im. gen. Jerzego Ziętka 1, Katowice
| 19.30 | Opening of the exhibition of International Review of Student Design, announcing the winners |
| Opening ot the exhibition Jan Hollender – design | |
| 20.30 | Afterparty |
Speakers
Register
The number of participants at the conference is limited.
The possibility of participation shall be determined by the order of registration.
The conference participation fee is PLN 200
Participants’ entry to the conference is possible after prior online registration:
Payment can be made by BLIK payment, payment card or electronic transfer through the imoje external payment system, operated by ING Bank Śląski S.A. with its registered office in Katowice. It is possible to receive an invoice, you need to select the appropriate option during registration.
Workshop leaders
Portfolio consultation – STGU
European City of Science Katowice 2024 Official Event
Partners
Media patronage
Organiser
