Call For Submissions
Manuscript Deadline: February 28, 2025, 11:59 PM
Manuscript Deadline: February 28, 2025, 11:59 PM
This volume invites contributions that interrogate the political biases and partial decisions embedded in the process of conceiving a drawing or representation.
PREMISE
Drafting is a fundamental practice within the architectural disciplines. Put simply, to draft is to make a measured drawing. This normative definition of drafting is not exclusive to the design or description of built forms, but may be extended to the realms of astronomy, engineering, cartography, and beyond. While the subject matter of these fields may differ, drafting similarly functions as the precise, empirical measurement and representation of existing or projected reality. The function of the draft is manyfold. Processually, the draft may be seen as a physical iteration—the parti or working rendition that captures an idea in time before it is layered with tracing paper and redrawn once more. Relationally, drafted representations communicate and negotiate concepts between actors in the design process. Alternatively, drafts may be leveraged to establish claims or uphold narratives in a public forum.
Throughout these objectives, certain aspects of the drawn subject are emphasized over others. Representational decisions are not merely aesthetic, but are exercises in visibility and concealment. Thus, the act of drafting, and the representations produced, are inherently political in their selective depiction of a subjective reality. Historically, the reliance of drafting on mathematical instruments has reinforced Western ideals of geometric rationalization, while abstracting or denying material realities. In truth, real conditions, discrepancies, and irregularities can never be rendered in complete accuracy. To draft is to operate with a degree of uncertainty—filling the void with assumption, speculation, or fantasy. The concept of liminalities is concerned with these uncertainties and abstractions—and their potentials to disrupt conventional protocols of drafting. Brought together, the theme of ‘drafting liminalities’ invites authors to challenge notions of technical neutrality, questioning critical absences and representational decisions.
Drafting is a fundamental practice within the architectural disciplines. Put simply, to draft is to make a measured drawing. This normative definition of drafting is not exclusive to the design or description of built forms, but may be extended to the realms of astronomy, engineering, cartography, and beyond. While the subject matter of these fields may differ, drafting similarly functions as the precise, empirical measurement and representation of existing or projected reality. The function of the draft is manyfold. Processually, the draft may be seen as a physical iteration—the parti or working rendition that captures an idea in time before it is layered with tracing paper and redrawn once more. Relationally, drafted representations communicate and negotiate concepts between actors in the design process. Alternatively, drafts may be leveraged to establish claims or uphold narratives in a public forum.
Throughout these objectives, certain aspects of the drawn subject are emphasized over others. Representational decisions are not merely aesthetic, but are exercises in visibility and concealment. Thus, the act of drafting, and the representations produced, are inherently political in their selective depiction of a subjective reality. Historically, the reliance of drafting on mathematical instruments has reinforced Western ideals of geometric rationalization, while abstracting or denying material realities. In truth, real conditions, discrepancies, and irregularities can never be rendered in complete accuracy. To draft is to operate with a degree of uncertainty—filling the void with assumption, speculation, or fantasy. The concept of liminalities is concerned with these uncertainties and abstractions—and their potentials to disrupt conventional protocols of drafting. Brought together, the theme of ‘drafting liminalities’ invites authors to challenge notions of technical neutrality, questioning critical absences and representational decisions.
KEY DATES
The editorial team will accept 100-200 word abstracts on a rolling basis up to the deadline; however, contributors are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts for review before January 31, 2025.
The deadline for full manuscripts is Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:59pm.
MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS
Manuscripts may comprise both visual and textual components in the form of annotated visuals, combined visual-written essays, and longer-form written articles. For more information on accepted formats and editorial style, please consult our author guide.
CONTACT
Please direct general questions to the SHIFT* Collective editorial team at shiftmagtoronto@gmail.com.
Specific inquiries about content or theme clarification may be directed to editorial director, Claire Allen (claire.allen@mail.utoronto.ca) or managing director, Emma Hwang (emma.hwang@mail.utoronto.ca).
The editorial team will accept 100-200 word abstracts on a rolling basis up to the deadline; however, contributors are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts for review before January 31, 2025.
The deadline for full manuscripts is Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:59pm.
MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS
Manuscripts may comprise both visual and textual components in the form of annotated visuals, combined visual-written essays, and longer-form written articles. For more information on accepted formats and editorial style, please consult our author guide.
CONTACT
Please direct general questions to the SHIFT* Collective editorial team at shiftmagtoronto@gmail.com.
Specific inquiries about content or theme clarification may be directed to editorial director, Claire Allen (claire.allen@mail.utoronto.ca) or managing director, Emma Hwang (emma.hwang@mail.utoronto.ca).
The theme of ‘drafting liminalities’ was developed by the SHIFT* Collective team, under the guidance of the publication’s editorial advisory board at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture in Toronto, Ontario.