Design History Society Annual Conference:
Converging Paths: Design in the Creative Economy.

Although the phrase "creative industry" was first formalized in the 1990s, the interaction of creative disciplines with markets has long been woven into the fabric of history. Artisans, designers and intellectuals historically have collaborated on projects that go beyond the confines of their disciplines. Regulatory bodies, artist unions, and syndicates have also had a crucial role in establishing networks of communication and legal frameworks which promoted the development of creative interactions within markets.

This conference will provide a comprehensive exploration into the intricate dynamics between design, the creative industry and users or consumers of design, shedding light on diverse actors and institutions that have contributed to its evolution. Our aim is to unravel the influences that have paved the way for the emergence of today's vibrant creative economy, examining both the interplay of business and economic factors, and the exchange of design metaphors that have transitioned from art to design and ultimately into marketable commodities.

The conference embraces historic, contemporary, and interdisciplinary perspectives on the subject and extends an invitation for contributions from design historians, scholars, and academics in related disciplines, alongside design practitioners, educators, museum professionals, and research students.

Potential topics for submission, while not limited to, may include:

1. The Historical Evolution of Design Markets
The transition from craft guilds to contemporary design markets.
The rise and impact of design fairs and biennales on market visibility.
The role of patronage systems in shaping early design economies.
The evolution of gallery systems and their influence on design commodification.
The emergence of design museums as cultural and economic intermediaries.
Case studies of iconic design dealers and agents throughout history.

2. The Impact of Criticism and Curation
Criticism as a driver of trends: from modernism to postmodernism.
The influence of curatorial practices on the valuation of design.
Critics and curators as gatekeepers: power dynamics in the design industry.
The relationship between critical acclaim and commercial success.
Digital curation and its impact on design visibility (e.g., Instagram curators).

3. Creative and Design Entrepreneurship
Designer-entrepreneurs: balancing creativity with commercial strategy.
The role of design incubators and accelerators in fostering entrepreneurship.
Case studies of successful design startups and their trajectories.
Crowdfunding as a tool for design entrepreneurship.
The institutional support for entrepreneurial design in developing countries.

4. Legal Frameworks, Employment, and Labour
The evolution of copyright and intellectual property laws in design.
Employment models: freelance vs. agency work in design.
Labour practices in the global design economy: ethics and exploitation.
The role of collective bargaining and unions in design professions.
Regional disparities in legal protections for designers.

5. Globalization and the Design Business
Cultural appropriation vs. inspiration in global design markets.
The role of international trade fairs in promoting design across borders.
Transnational collaborations and their impact on design innovation.
The adaptation of design to local economies in a globalized world.
The role of emerging economies in reshaping global design practices.

6. The Digital Era
NFTs and their influence on the valuation of design artifacts.
Virtual galleries and the redefinition of physical design spaces.
Social media and the democratization of design promotion.
The rise of AI in the design process and its implications for markets.
E-commerce platforms as new intermediaries in the design business.

7. Collaborative Networks and Creative Communities
Co-working spaces and their influence on design collaboration.
Online creative communities and their impact on design trends.
Collaborative design practices in tackling global challenges (e.g., climate change).
Crowdsourcing in design: benefits and challenges.
Case studies of influential design collectives and networks.

8. The Politics of the Creative Economy
Government subsidies and their role in nurturing the design economy.
Trade policies and their influence on international design markets.
The impact of sustainability policies on design practices and products.
Mobility restrictions and their effect on international design collaboration.
Political ideologies shaping the narrative of the creative economy.

9. Creativity and the Creative Economy in Design Education
The commodification of creativity in design curricula.
The role of industry partnerships in shaping design education.
Internships: exploitation or essential training for young designers?
The myth of the “star designer” in educational discourse.
The influence of rankings and accreditation systems on design education models.

Details
We welcome proposals for individual papers (20 minutes) as well as for panels of three thematically related papers. Panel submissions must include abstracts for all three papers, along with a concise description of the panel’s theme. We also welcome submissions in innovative formats, such as video essays, that break away from conventional academic presentations.

The deadline for submitting abstracts is 8 March 2025. Proposals should be submitted through ‘abstract submission’ tab provided on the top of our website (https://dhs2025.ankarabilim.edu.tr/login) and should include:

title
abstract of up to 300 words
short academic bio of each author (up to 200 words)
authors’ names in the corresponding author section
description of the format of the contribution (paper / panel / alternative format)
up to five keywords

Program:
- The conference will take place at Ankara Bilim University, Türkiye.
- The whole conference programme will be announced by mid-March 2025.

For any other queries please contact us via the link on our website: https://dhs2025.ankarabilim.edu.tr/contact