CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Against the backdrop of evolving AI capabilities and mounting social and ecological challenges, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Design practices, education, and society are undergoing profound transformations through artificial intelligence — yet the direction, impact, and meaning of these changes remain contested and uncertain.

How can designers navigate this shifting landscape? When does AI enhance human creativity, and when does it constrain it? How might AI-powered design address urgent sustainability challenges without succumbing to technological solutionism? And critically, who benefits from these technologies, and who is excluded?

Join us at TRANSFORM25, where critical thinking meets active creation to explore these questions and more. The conference brings together diverse perspectives to investigate how AI is reshaping creative processes, design education, and sustainability initiatives across contexts and cultures.

Our aim is to explore the complex intersections of AI, art, design and society with nuance and critical awareness; to foster connections among diverse practitioners, researchers, and communities; and to craft practical solutions that address pressing ethical and practical questions in AI-driven design. TRANSFORM25 creates space for both critical reflection and active making, recognizing that transformative possibilities emerge when thinking and doing converge.

As KITeGG’s concluding event – a collaborative research project of five universities focused on integrating AI in design education – TRANSFORM25 serves both as a showcase of accomplishments and as a platform for forward-thinking dialogue that transcends institutional boundaries. For more information on KITeGG visit gestaltung.ai.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

We invite participation from a broad community including but not limited to:

  • Design educators, researchers, and students
  • Creative professionals from studios, agencies, and companies
  • Scholars from e.g. art, architecture, fashion, philosophy, psychology, computer science, ethnography, law, and environmental sciences
  • Policy-makers and public sector representatives
  • Community advocates and NGOs
  • Developers working with creative AI applications
  • Anyone interested in the future relationship between AI, design, and society

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Across five thematic tracks, we welcome proposals in multiple formats to accommodate diverse modes of knowledge production and sharing:

  • Presentations (20 minutes):
    research findings, case studies, theoretical explorations, or deep dives into artistic and design processes/workflows/practices
  • Lightning Talks (10 minutes):
    brief, focused presentations on ideas or works-in-progress
  • Posters:
    visual presentations of research findings or design projects
  • Workshops:
    interactive sessions exploring practical applications or methodologies

Submit abstracts of 200-250 words outlining your contribution. Final papers are not required. Artistic and design works can be considered for exhibition upon acceptance. All sessions will be recorded and published with participant consent.


Abstract submission deadline: 15 June 2025
Notification of acceptance: 1 July 2025


To submit, use this form.

PARTICIPATION

Registration will be free of charge and includes access to all conference venues, talks, exhibitions, and workshops.

The conference will feature several special offerings, including KITeGG Book Releases, a Project Showcase highlighting achievements across all partner institutions, and discipline-specific tracks showcasing how different design fields engage with AI technologies. Participants will have opportunities to explore these initiatives throughout the event.

HOST AND CONTACT

KINDLAB // Campus of Art and Design
University of Applied Sciences Trier


For questions contact Prof. Simon Maris
maris@hochschule-trier.de

AI in DESIGN EDUCATION

  • How can AI be integrated into design curricula across disciplines?
  • What infrastructures and learning platforms best support AI-enhanced design education?
  • How are educational institutions balancing technical skills, critical thinking, and creative exploration in AI-focused design pedagogy?

AI for SUSTAINABILITY in DESIGN

  • How can AI tools contribute to more sustainable design practices and outcomes?
  • What are the environmental and social implications of incorporating AI into design processes?
  • When should we embrace technological solutions for sustainability challenges, and when should we pursue alternative approaches?

AI in DESIGN PRACTICE

  • How is AI transforming professional workflows and collaborative methodologies in design studios?
  • What new creative possibilities are emerging from human-AI collaboration in different design disciplines?
  • How are practitioners negotiating questions of authorship, craft, and expertise in AI-assisted design?

AI in DESIGN-DRIVEN RESEARCH

  • How can AI serve as a tool for artistic inquiry and practice-based research?
  • What methodological innovations are emerging from AI integration in design research?
  • How does AI challenge or extend traditional understandings of authorship, creativity, and knowledge production in design research?

AI for SOCIETAL BENEFIT

  • How can AI be deployed effectively in non-profit and public sector contexts?
  • What ethical frameworks and policy recommendations can guide AI implementation for social good?
  • How can we address power imbalances and accessibility concerns when implementing AI solutions in diverse communities?