The D-Crit program (an MFA in Design Criticism) at the School of Visual Arts in New York City remains one of the most interesting and thought-provoking ongoing conversations about design and contemporary culture. The emphasis is on brainy, fast-paced thinking and discussion with roots firmly planted in pop culture and trending topics. The department's "Reading Design" class from 2010 just released a chapbook of students' writing about places in New York where water meets land. Called At Water's Edge, the little publication ranges from personal musings, such as Kimberlie Birks' exploration of Manhattan's "island" culture, to cautionary, such as Stephanie Jönsson's mini-history of the Gowanus. 
 
But this isn't all the department is up to. Sometimes it is a good idea to get away from isolated exploration and talk about objects with other folks in "real life." Hence the 2011 D-Crit Conference. Last year’s annual conference was written up by ReadyMade’s Katherine Sharpe here in a special edition of HDYGTFAJ. Invites went out last week to the public for this year’s conference, “Present Tense,” taking place on Wednesday, May 4th. 
 
Featured speakers include New York Times Magazine contributor Rob Walker, documentary producer Adam Harrison Levy, senior curator of MoMA's Department of Architecture and Design Paola Antonelli, architect and BIG founder Bjarke Ingels,Van Alen Institute executive director Olympia Kazi, The New Yorker’s John Seabrook, Fast Company senior editor Linda Tischler, and the D-Crit class of 2011 speaking on their thesis topics, including characters in girls’ popular culture, music videos of the internet age, New York’s playgrounds, and the cultural significance of the Afro.
 
The program is open to the public, but RSVPs are required. Email dcrit@sva.edu or call (212) 592 2228.
 

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