Hypervernacular Design: Rethinking the Vernacular Design Paradigm

Abstract

Contemporary design discourse needs words to discuss its role in everyday life. Therefore, this article rethinks the meaning and value of the term “vernacular design” in contemporary society, with a focus on vernacular graphic design. We argue that the domain needs an interpretation that is more attuned to novel approaches around hybridity and plurality in design. We frame this development from a theoretical perspective by introducing the concept of hypervernacular as a relational and plural approach. We ground our conceptual argument through a case study description that explores the everyday, ubiquitous, and more-than-human position of the plant species Japanese knotweed through collaboration.