TORONTO THEORY (Part 1) : A Design Workshop
(Yes, we're running it again!)
Many want to create new futures for Toronto, but in general, few succeed. Why is this? Is there something about this city that resists or even punishes the new? And what can we do about that?
This series takes as its premise the idea that many historical initiatives in Toronto have been imported from other places, times or peoples. It takes seriously the idea that in order to create wonderful things — be them products, organizations, political movements, forms of art — we must first begin by understanding where we live, and how this place works. What is Toronto culture, and how does understanding it open us up to deep, sincere, authentic ways of creating things that actually work? How can we "build with local materials" when it comes to culture itself?
This Event
This is a 2 hour interactive event that combines a lecture, a workshop and a discussion. Come expecting to learn new concepts and to immediately apply them in your own projects, or the projects of other Torontonians.
This is Part 1 of an event series that focuses on the cultural reimagining of the Toronto scene. Future parts will use the concept of Part 1 as a foundation.
IDEAL FOR:
- Activists working on new projects or initiatives
- Tech people who are trying to do something new and unprecedented in Toronto
- Artists trying to reach the next level of audience or craft
- People who are generally "up to stuff," whether that's hosting events or creating new things for the sheer joy of it
- Anyone who is looking for a bigger audience/scene/community in Toronto for any reason
Ticket Tiers
This is a ticketed event to help the host cover the cost of being an independent researcher (unsupported by grants and external organizations). The event is tiered according to circumstance.
PWYC - No one will be turned away for lack of funds
Standard - 15$
Supporter - 55$ This helps keep the event accessible for others, as well as makes more events possible in the future.
About the Host
Michelle (Scarborough 1994-2007; Markham 2007-2012; Silicon Valley 2012-2021; Toronto 2021-Present) is a design ethnographer, writer and artist who teaches at the Stanford d.school. As a researcher, she has worked with Fortune 500 Companies as well as the public sector as well as — her favourite thing to do — individual Masters students and mentees from around the world. She was a speaker in the first Viaduct lecture series and you can see her talk here. Her latest motto is "carry the stone."
This is an IRID event. IRID (Institute for Relational Intelligence in Design) is a design school that was founded to help foster authentic, inspired and unusual civic works in the city of Toronto.
FAQ
Are there accessible bathrooms at the venue?
— There ARE bathrooms, but unfortunately, they are down a flight of stairs. If you require ramps or other accommodation but want to attend this event, please message me directly!
What should I bring?
— A notebook, or any other analog way of taking notes that makes sense to you. Cameras and phones are also permitted, as the slides will NOT be sent out afterwards.
If I've already attended this event once, can I come again?
— Yes! In fact, this version will have some tweaks from the first version, so feel free to come again. Please, no spoilers though (you know what I'm talking about).
Will you be hosting this event again in the future?
— Yes, most likely. As this is a foundation setup for the rest of the series, I'm going to do my best to make it periodically available.
[Insert question Michelle has never heard before?]
— Please email me about this, aka the "message the host" feature on Luma!