Modes of Criticism #3

Modes of Criticism is an annual critical design journal, created in the context of francisco Laranjos continued research and teaching at the London College of Communication. Loranjo has sought to develop design methods for a critical design practice with attention to the emergence of recent technology driven terminology such as critical design, design fiction, and speculative design within graphic design. Modes of Criticism addresses these gaps in design discourse in relation to these terms, their history, methods, and criticism. It examines what is meant by criticality in design, and works toward the politicization of its discourse and practice. For issue 3, the subject matter evolves around the effects of global design aesthetics on individual ideas and creativity. Selected essays expand on the premise with contributions from els Kuijpers, design critic, lecturer, and curator in the field of culture and visual communication (nL); Angela Mitropoulos, Sydney-based theorist and academic; Laura Gordon, designer, researcher, and educator of visual Communication at the Royal College of Art, London, and co-founder of Crowd Talks; Decolonising Design Group, eight design researchers, artists, and activists founded in 2016; Silvio Lorusso, designer and artist based in Rotterdam (nL); Luke Pendrell, head of visual Communication at the School of Art, University of Brighton (UK); and James Trafford, senior professor in Critical Approaches to Art & Design at the University for the Creative Arts, epsom (UK). Francisco Laranjo extensively lectures around the world, recently at Cal Arts, valencia, California, besides publishing his writings in The New Yorker (October 2017).