The Design of History and the History of Design Symposium

This event is for UAL staff and students only, a UAL ID card will be needed to enter the site and attend.

The Design of History and the History of Design Symposium

Monday, 15 September 2025

10am - 4:30pm

London College of Communication

Lecture Theatre B and Lecture Theatre C

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The Design of History and the History of Design is a one-day symposium that maps research into, through or at the boundaries of design history at UAL. While design history may underpin our teaching across different disciplines, research in design history across UAL is somewhat hidden. This symposium aims to share and make visible the work of researchers (staff and students) at all career stages across all UAL colleges. Exploring the intersections of historical narrative and design practice, it examines how history is constructed, represented, and mediated through design, and how the discipline of design itself is shaped by its evolving historiography. The symposium will serve as the starting point for a Design History Network at UAL, bringing together researchers from across the university. It also lays the foundation for a welcoming research community in design history, with potential for ongoing events, collaboration, publications, and curriculum development.

Event organisers: Rujana Rebernjak (r.rebernjak@lcc.arts.ac.uk) and Tai Cossich (t.cossich@lcc.arts.ac.uk)

Programme

Lecture Theatre B

10am – 10:15am: Welcome

10:15am – 11:45am: Material Traces, Mediated Histories

A panel about objects and environments as sites of cultural memory, identity, and power.

• Cheryl Roberts
• Patrick O'Shea
• Nina O'Reilly
• Vanessa Vanden Berghe

Moderation: Rujana Rebernjak

11:45am – 12:15pm: Break

12:15pm – 2pm: Shaping Design: Pedagogy, Institutions, and Histories

A panel about the forces, pedagogies, institutions, and narratives that shape design and its histories.

• Dora Souza Dias
• Andrew Slatter
• Ian Horton and Ian Hague
• Judy Willcocks
• Kate Trant

Moderation: Cheryl Roberts

2pm - 2:30pm: Break

2:30pm - 4:15pm: Designing Worlds, Rewriting Histories

A panel about design as a way of constructing worlds, histories, and identities.

• John-Patrick Hartnett
• Antoin Sharkey
• Christin Yu
• Zarna Hart
• Danah Nassief

Moderation: Rujana Rebernjak

Lecture Theatre C

10am – 10:15am: Welcome

10:15am – 11:45am: Practicing History, Designing Methods

A panel about how design, making, speculation, and practice become ways of doing history differently.

• Alberto Atalla Filho
• Sam Gathercole
• David Preston
• Huda Almazroua

Moderation: Tai Cossich

11:45am – 12:15pm: Break

12:15pm – 2pm: Resistant Practices, Contested Narratives

A panel on how alternative voices, subcultures, and radical practices challenge dominant narratives.

• Fenella Hitchcock
• Russ Bestley
• Kevin Biderman
• Abbie Vickress and Sakis Kyratzis
• Jesse O'Neill

Moderation: David Preston

2pm - 2:30pm: Break

2:30pm - 4:15pm: Disputed Histories, Emerging Futures

A panel about reframing, reimagining, and re-authoring design histories across labour, ecology, institutions, and media.

• Christopher Lacy
• Timothy Miller
• David Cross
• Jennifer Hankin
• Rebecca Ross

Moderation: Tai Cossich

4:15pm: Closing Plenary and Concluding Address

Lecture Theatre B

There may be slight changes to the symposium programme, for the most up-to-date version please visit the symposium website.

Image credit: The People's Graphic Design Archive (2025) [Screenshot].

Accessibility: London College of Communication strives to provide an inclusive and accessible environment for our students and visitors. For full access and route guides for our building, please view our AccessAble accessibility guide.

Content Guidance: Exhibitions at London College of Communication often address a range of social issues and mature themes. We recommend that children and vulnerable adults are always accompanied.

Space, lighting and sound levels will vary. Sounds can be high-volume and play suddenly without warning. Some visual effects may be disorientating.

Find us: London College of Communication is located close to central London in Elephant and Castle. The College is based on a single site within easy reach of various parts of the city, and is well-served by Underground, bus and rail networks. Find out more about getting here on Find Us page.

Filming and Photography: Please note that filming and photography may be taking place at this event. Both bigger crowds, smaller groups and individuals may be captured on camera. All imagery and footage may at some point be published on the College website, social media channels, and in print.

If you have any specific access requirements for an event or exhibition at all please contact us by email (events@lcc.arts.ac.uk) or phone (020 7514 8498) in advance of your visit, so that we can make any necessary preparations or adjustments.