Faultlines irish design research conference 2015: book of abstracts

Abstract

Welcome to the Irish Design Research Conference 2015, an initiative of designCORE at the Dargan Centre, Institute of Technology Carlow. This all island and event has been cosponsored by ID2015 as part of Year of Irish Design. It aims to provide a national forum for current design researchers to disseminate emergent design research taking place within the discipline. Ireland is showing clear indications of economic recovery, and a policy objective for ID2015 is to achieve growth within the Irish design sector. This timely forum seeks to draw leading academic researchers, from across the disciplinary bandwidth, into a stimulating, challenging and rewarding interdisciplinary discourse. This can provide the growing Irish design research community, a means to engage with each other, exchange experiences and share insight. The conference theme, FAULTLINES-Bridging Knowledge Spaces seeks to explore the interstices between knowledge and practice. For cross-disciplinary relevance, the sessions address the more global themes of how design research can inform policy, impact society and find intervention in industry. The importance of design research and innovation to the health and commercial development of the Irish SME sector is clear. FAULTLINES also seeks to bridge the spaces between academia and industry partners. Through the various associated events and networking opportunities organised, it is hoped you may identify further potential collaborative action; for mutual benefit. I would like to thank keynote speakers and delegates for their contribution and all who have assisted in organising this event. I also wish to thank our sponsors for their generous support. While your time in Carlow and your contribution is critically important to the success of the conference, I hope you will also have a chance to visit VISUAL Arts Centre and experience the engaging international exhibition in augmented reality being held there. There are also many events occurring around Carlow as part of EIGSE Arts Festival which will be of interest. More importantly, during the conference, I hope you have an opportunity to grow your networks and that you are inspired to extend beyond the conference itself to develop further meaningful dialogues together.