Decentring Eurocentric Design

Evening lecture »Decentring Eurocentric Design«

– South African rooted Visual Communication Design practice and Social Design in Durban, South Africa. An Honours Student Case study in AI.

How does visual communication change when its foundations are rooted in South African ways of seeing, feeling, and storytelling rather than Eurocentric ideas of neutrality and minimalism?

In his lecture Rory van As from Durban University, South Africa, explores South African-centred design practice through a powerful student case study on father absenteeism in South African townships. The session demonstrates how culturally grounded visual language, supported by ethical, purpose-driven AI image-making, can communicate with dignity, emotional depth, and community relevance. Students, designers, and educators are invited to rethink what counts as “good” design and to imagine visual communication as a tool for empathy, social change, and decolonial knowledge-making.

The Visual Communication Design Challenge Workshop: Mystery Edition

Think you’ve got the creative superpowers to crack a top-secret design challenge? Join us for The Visual Communication Design Challenge: Mystery Edition, a workshop where a secret uniquely South African item awaits your creative genius.

You’ll dive headfirst into problem- solving, typography, branding, and visual communication, applying real-world design principles in real time. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s your chance to stretch your creativity, think on your feet, and build a visual story that speaks to a specific target audience.

If you love a good creative challenge, clever thinking, and a bit of design chaos, this is the workshop for you. Bring your brain, your sketchbook, your favourite writing tools, scribblers and let’s go!

Dr. Rory van As is a honours level lecturer and programme coordinator in the Visual Communication Design department at the Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa. His teaching is underpinned by a research-led philosophy that champions strategic design excellence, innovation, and critical inquiry.

His professional career spans over 20 years in the visual communication and design industry. Having led successful local and international projects in brand development, advertising, and creative production, offering a unique depth of experience. As a former leader of a multidisciplinary creative agency, Dr. Van As brings a valuable blend of entrepreneurial insight and industry expertise to his academic role.

Welcome: Prof. Dr. Sue Barr

EVENING LECTURE »DECENTRING EUROCENTRIC DESIGN«
RORY VAN AS
THURSDAY, 04.12.25 | 6.30 P.M. | GROSSER HÖRSAAL (X 1.022)

WORKSHOP »MYSTERY EDITION«
RORY VAN AS
FRIDAY, 05.12.25 | 9 A.M.–1 P.M.| PAVILLON (X 0.160)
Limited number of participants – registration by 7 December 2025 via email .

FAKULTÄT FÜR DESIGN | HOCHSCHULE MÜNCHEN | LOTHSTRASSE 17 | 80335 MÜNCHEN

The events are open to both university members and the general public – anyone who is interested or curious is warmly invited to attend.

Hinweis für Studierende: Sowohl der Vortrag als auch der Workshop werden als Modul 703 (BA Design, ehemals Modul 604) bzw. Modul 621 (BA Informatik und Design) anerkannt. Bitte das ausgefüllte Formular mitbringen.