LA+ Creature

The LA+ Journal Issue 14 presents the results of the LA+ CREATURE international design ideas competition, which explored how design can achieve a more symbiotic existence with other creatures. The competition brief asked entrants to choose a nonhuman client and design something to improve its life and increase human-nonhuman empathy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 135 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2022
Publisher: Oro Editions

Issue 14 of the LA+ Journal presents the remarkable outcomes of the LA+ CREATURE international design ideas competition, an exploration into the potential of design to foster a harmonious coexistence with other creatures. The competition brief challenged entrants to select a nonhuman client and conceive a solution—be it a place, structure, product, process, or system—aimed at enhancing their well-being and cultivating greater human-nonhuman empathy. In addition to featuring the winning designs and a comprehensive Salon des Refusés, LA+ CREATURE delves into an insightful essay by Lori Gruen (author of Critical Terms for Animal Studies) and engaging interviews with esteemed jurors Timothy Morton, Kate Orff, Jennifer Wolch, Andrew Grant, Chris Reed, and Farre Nixon.

The competition received a diverse range of submissions, each showcasing innovative and thoughtful approaches to designing for nonhuman clients. Entrants were encouraged to think beyond traditional boundaries and explore new ways of understanding and interacting with the natural world.

One of the standout entries was a proposal for a community garden designed to promote interspecies communication and understanding. The garden featured a series of interconnected habitats that would allow different species to interact and learn from each other, fostering a sense of empathy and cooperation. Another notable entry was a wearable technology device that aimed to enhance the communication abilities of animals, allowing humans to better understand and communicate with them.

The jury panel, consisting of esteemed experts in the field of design and animal studies, had the challenging task of selecting the winning designs. They were impressed by the creativity, feasibility, and potential impact of the submissions, and their decision was based on a combination of technical excellence, innovative thinking, and the ability to foster human-nonhuman empathy.

The winning designs showcased a range of innovative approaches to designing for nonhuman clients. One design proposed a series of interconnected habitats that would allow different species to interact and learn from each other, fostering a sense of empathy and cooperation. Another design featured a wearable technology device that aimed to enhance the communication abilities of animals, allowing humans to better understand and communicate with them.

The Salon des Refusés, a comprehensive showcase of rejected submissions, also provided valuable insights into the creative process and the challenges faced by designers. The entries showcased a wide range of ideas and approaches, reflecting the diversity and depth of the competition.

In addition to the competition results, LA+ CREATURE features an insightful essay by Lori Gruen, author of Critical Terms for Animal Studies. Gruen's essay explores the ethical and philosophical implications of designing for nonhuman clients and highlights the importance of considering the perspectives and experiences of all living beings.

The interviews with the jurors also provide valuable insights into their decision-making process and the criteria they used to evaluate the submissions. The jurors discussed the importance of empathy, sustainability, and the potential for design to create positive change in the world.

Overall, Issue 14 of the LA+ Journal is a testament to the power of design to foster a more symbiotic existence with other creatures. The competition showcased a range of innovative and thoughtful designs that have the potential to transform the way we think about and interact with the natural world. By promoting human-nonhuman empathy and fostering a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between humans and other species, design can play a vital role in creating a more sustainable and harmonious future.

Weight: 702g
Dimension: 223 x 268 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781954081222