Department of Industrial Design

Systemic Change

Systemic Change uses Design and Technology to study socio-technical systems at the level of a community, by designing technology-enabled interventions addressing societal challenges and analysing their effect on the eco-system.

investigates technological interventions in the context of contemporary societal challenges

The cluster Systemic Change investigates technological interventions in the context of contemporary societal challenges. In cross-disciplinary teams of specialists and stakeholders, we envision and create socio-technical systems operating in near real-life ecosystems and study their effects in the short and long term. In the socio-technological systems, we utilize emerging technologies such as ICT, Big Data, AI, sensors and actuators. We use the aesthetics of interaction of the users with the socio-technical systems to evoke change and we underpin the desired change by applying ethical frameworks and theories from social sciences and humanities. Using a research through design approach, we develop methods, tools, platforms and field labs that support the co-creation and analysis processes. These can subsequently be repurposed by the cross-disciplinary stakeholders in their own practice.

Projects

Research Project Textales

The main research challenge of  the Textales project was to develop the tools and methods to design for smart textile services (STS). This challenge branched out in several directions, such as crafting communities, craft qualities for  smart textile services and the role of prototypes for embodied STS.

Research Project REACH

The REACH  project (Responsive Engagement of the Elderly Promoting Activity and Customized Healthcare) aims to increase acceptability of sensing and monitoring solutions through focus on usability, personalization and safety. 

Meet our Research Labs

Our researchers and students can use several labs to support their research and educational activities. Our department has Generic Make-Labs, Specific Make-Labs and Research Labs.

In the Wearable Senses Lab you can experiment with soft sensors, e-textiles and algorithmic on-body systems. The lab includes prototyping and manufacturing capabilities for the creation of apparel, accessories, and jewelry that integrate technology on an inherent level. Beyond industrial sewing, over-lock and heat press machines the Wearable Senses Lab is equipped with knitting, weaving, tufting, vinyl cutting, 3D-printing and embroidery machines. All these machines can only be used by students who have attended an introductory instruction at the beginning of the semester.

Meet some of our Researchers

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