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Paper short abstract

In the movement from understanding the past towards creating the future, design anthropology as a discipline will turn from one with archival qualities to one endowed with potentials for change.

Paper long abstract

In the movement from understanding the past towards creating the future, design anthropology as a discipline will turn from one with archival qualities to one endowed with potentials for change. One challenge facing design anthropology is how to show relevance for theory generation while also incorporating critique as a way to open up the design space in meaningful ways. To consider theory as a form of practice is to explore how one practices theory. Instead of a textual form that reframes our perceptions, theory becomes experiential and in this way changes our actions. The Schönian notion of seeing-as is complemented by designing-for as design anthropologists stage design workshops, span knowledge traditions, and make design moves. Reflecting on my own research process, I trace a few research tools that underline the craft of design anthropology.

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