Designing transitions through microutopias.

Abstract

This article presents initial developments of a methodological proposal, designed for social organizations to contribute to transformation processes from their own visions of sustainable futures. This qualitative methodology emerges from Latin American contexts and was conceived from action research processes in a design course at the University of Ibague. The article is made up of five sections. In the first one, three points are raised to conceive the design of transitions: the current socio-environmental situation, the insufficiency of solutions to it, and the place of enunciation of the proposal. In the second one, the role of design in the capitalist project is questioned and possibilities for design for social change are enunciated. The third one describes the methodological proposal in terms of its phases; the pedagogical experience from which it emerged, and some reflections on design practice. Finally, some recommendations and reflections are presented on design transitions through microutopias.