Description

The Emerging Economies seminar examines how design influences new economic models. Each session delves into real-world projects developed primarily at Fab Lab Barcelona over the last ten years, combining theoretical analysis with practical case studies. Topics covered include circular and distributed economies, ecological interactions, regenerative economies, social entrepreneurship, and the future of work. Throughout the seminar, students will critically assess the potential of design to drive systemic change and tackle contemporary challenges, focusing on real-world applications and collaborative projects.

Keywords: Emerging Economies, Design and Economics, Circular Economy, Distributed Economy, Ecological Interactions, Regenerative Economy, Social Entrepreneurship, Future of Work, Systemic Change, Real-world Applications

Learning Outcomes:

• Critically analyse the role of design in shaping economic futures
• Investigate the potential of emerging technologies in catalysing systemic change
• Develop strategies for designing within the context of complexity and uncertainty
• Evaluate the social, ecological, and economic impact of design interventions
• Uncover strategies for multi-stakeholder collaboration

Methodological Strategy:

• Case Studies: Through the creators’ experience, we will unfold the design decisions and social challenges of carefully selected projects.
• Reflection and Peer Learning: Mapping our learnings into a shared canvas to replicate strategies in our projects later.