Pluriversal Design as a Paradigm

Leitao, Renata; Noel, Lesley-Ann; Rogal, Maria; Torretta, Nicholas; Montalvan, Juan; Beniwal, Sucharita; Fonseca Braga, Mariana; Onafuwa, Dimeji; Ibarra, Maria Cristina

Abstract

The concept of the Pluriverse refers to a world where many worlds fit. But what is pluriversal design? While it has been used as a synonym for initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion, this track argues that pluriversal frameworks represent a distinct paradigm — in contrast with the universal design paradigm. These two paradigms, while important in their own right, deal with diversity and plurality in fundamentally different ways. The term ‘universal’ is grounded in the belief that we all live in one single world, with one right (or “developed”) way to live, with a dominant narrative in which the main characters have been affluent white men from the Global North. The universal paradigm is about convergence, normalization – and sometimes assimilation, othering, exotification, or tokenism. Within this paradigm, designers strive to cater to multiple cultures and diverse users, reduce deficits, increase access, and include marginalized perspectives – e.g., making people of color play significant roles in the dominant world narrative without transforming the underlying plot. The term ‘pluriversal’ recognizes there are many possible ways of being and world-making — multiple worlds and alternative narratives exist, and people from diverse cultures and geographies are struggling to enable alternative plots to flourish. Therefore, a pluriversal design paradigm is grounded in divergence. Pluriversal designers focus on, for instance, societal transformation, self-determination of local communities, alternative ways of world-building, and the interdependence of all beings. This track welcomes papers that explore this conversation/argument or how pluriversal frameworks can be manifested/nourished/encouraged in design practice.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: Design Research Society Biennial Conference Series
• Start Date: Jun 23, 2024
• End Date: Jun 28, 2025
• Acceptance Date: Jun 23, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jun 23, 2024
• Deposit Date: Mar 20, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 20, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.169