Keynote Speakers
 

"Cultural Diversities & Global Education" by Teun Velders, Saxion Universities of Applied Science, The Netherlands

Abstract

Most notably after the historic events of 09-11-2001, “Values and Norms” are high on the social agenda. This is quit reasonable because terrorism can’t be fought by weapons so people try to suppress it with arguments. A Value is a self held opinion of respected behavior, while a Norm is a prescribed control standard. These phenomena of decency and respect lead us into the tradition of ethics of virtuousness.  These qualifications go back  into the history of diverse cultures, and even when the world today is considered to be a global village, these roots can not be neglected. The Olympic Flame, the movie Fitna, and Global Warming are political, social/religious and economical examples of how communication fails to develop mutual understanding. This paper deals with the experiences of 20 years of global teaching both face  to face as well as by the web. With a focus on Visual Arts/Visual Communication next to other disciplines cultural diversities are worked out and strategies for better understanding and co-operation are suggested .

Keywords: ethics, aesthetics, visual literacy, visual communication, globality.
 

Bio

All my life I have dealt with images. As an artist I make them myself, as an art & design teacher I let them make by my students. As an art historian I speak about the qualities of images and as a master in visual literacy I communicate with them. All these activities are executed in the studio, the classroom, the auditorium and on the web. This all, and more happened over the past 40 years.

"The Presentation of a System of Pattern Construction and Design" by Michael Hann, Chair of Design Theory and Director of the University of Leeds International Textiles Archive

Abstract

The geometric principles, concepts and perspectives underlying structure and form in design can be readily sourced in ancient times. From the time of Euclid (c.300BCE), until recently, geometry was the tool of choice for engineers, builders, artists and designers. It is the contention of the author that an understanding of the basic principles of Euclidean geometry can still offer immense potential in addressing and solving design problems in the twenty-first century. Also, such understanding offers a means of analysing two-dimensional designs in ways which are reproducible from one analyst to another. The geometric analysis of representative groups of designs, can uncover a wide range of social, psychological, philosophical and cultural properties or characteristics. Designs may be created and developed by reference to structural rules and, subsequently, they may be analysed with respect to their underlying structural characteristics. Various geometric characteristics, principles, concepts, constructions, comparative measures and ratios are of particular importance to both the design practitioner and the design analyst. These include the following:

• 1:1 (square).
• Π: radius (circle).
• Square root series √2 (=1.4142): 1; √3 (=1.732): 1; √4 (=2): 1 etc.
• Regular polygons, Reauleaux polygons, the ad quadratum, the vesica pisces, the sacred cut and other      constructions.
• The golden section, Phi (Ф) or 1.618:1 and various associated constructions such as the golden rectangle or golden spiral.
• Triangles (equilateral, isosceles, right angle, scalene).
• Various musical series, including1:1; 1:2; 2:3; 3:4, etc.
• Geometric symmetry and its component geometric operations (or symmetries).

All of the above are of value in the armoury of both the practitioner and the analyst. This paper is concerned with the needs of the practitioner and focuses on one the areas listed: geometric symmetry.  Symmetry pervades our everyday lives and environment. We live in a symmetrical world. We wear clothes which are symmetrical. We live and work in buildings which are largely symmetrical. We drive automobiles which are symmetrical. In fact the vast majority of living creatures, manufactured objects, constructions, monuments, tools, implements and utensils exhibit bi-lateral symmetry. This is where two component and equal parts are each a reflection of the other. The meaning of the term symmetry can be extended beyond this every-day use to include other geometrical actions and their combinations; in all cases the essence is one of regular reproduction or repetition of a fundamental unit, shape, figure or other element. A simple system of pattern design and construction, developed by reference to symmetry concepts, is proposed in this paper. The system owes its origin to various exercises aimed at developing awareness among students of the concept of modularity (minimum inventory and maximum diversity). In time, a more detailed design brief evolved with a commercial focus on producing collections of designs for specified end uses. This more detailed brief is presented together with illustrations of several resultant design collections.

Bio

Academic and professional qualifications and membership of societies

BA (Hons) Textile Design, University of Leeds; MPhil, by research, University of Leeds; Chartered Textile Technologist and Fellowship of the Textile Institute (C. Text., FTI); PhD, by research, University of Leeds; Member of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society; Member of English Heritage and of the United Arts Club (Dublin).

Consultancy experience

Extensive international experience as a consultant with various international agencies (especially the British Council as well as various local agencies), particularly in Indonesia and Pakistan. In the main, this has involved advising small- and medium-sized companies on developing products for export. Experience also as an educational adviser on curriculum development (examples include higher education institutions in Pakistan,  Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia).

Subject interests

An authority on the geometry of design (particularly two-dimensional design). Current research interests cover: symmetry aspects of design; Fibonacci numbers, ratios and proportions; the concept of modularity (minimum inventory and maximum diversity) applied to two dimensional design; periodic and aperiodic tilings; tiling of polyhedra; fractals and self-similarity. Specialist interest in geometrical and cultural aspects of design and also in historical and contemporary world textiles.

Publications

Thirteen scholarly monographs, five chapters to books; around fifty refereed contributions to scholarly journals; five consultancy reports for multi-national or national companies; two films produced, directed and edited; fifteen exhibitions curated; forty-three conference or workshop presentations (mainly international conferences and mainly as an invited or key note speaker); around thirty other publications including book reviews.

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