Dimensions of

The tenth „Dimension of…“ conference in Dessau is all about the human as a social being. In the light of climate change, the global refugee situation, increasing automation, and scientific advances such as genetic engineering, it appears that we have to begin making conscious decisions of how we actually wish to live together in a sustainable way. In this process, Design playes a important role.


Inspired by Richard Sennett’s "Together: The rituals, pleasures and politics of co-operation", the idea of the Dimensions of Together is about the big challenges in the beginning of the 21st century and how we have to cope with them as a global and social community. Terry Irwin, Head of the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh (USA), is researching in the area of design for society and the environment and has been teaching at the University level since 1986. At Dimensions of Together Terry Irwin and social theorist Gideon Kossoff, will give an insight into the Transition Design and the role of cooperation in this process . A global network of non-profit environmental and sustainability initiatives, who lead the change into a post-fossil and relocalized economy in towns and cities all over the world.

Many tasks require people to work together as a team to achieve successful results. We ask for mechanisms of cooperation and common organization. What makes a team work well together? What are the conditions to make a group cooperate? What impedes a successful development? Who is learning from whom? What is the role of trust and hierarchy? What kind of thinking and acting together is required to steer towards a sustainable future?

Since 2006 the „Dimensions of…“ puts socially relevant issues at the heart of the conference to discuss them and their links to Design. In recent years, Dimensions of MOBILITY, FAKE, HEIMAT, ARBEIT, LIEBE, STADT, VERÄNDERUNG, RAUM and PAUSE has been in focus of the conference. The venue takes place at the historical Bauhaus building in Dessau, Germany. Organized by the Dessau Department of Design, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.