In contemporary Western culture, the concept of failure is usually associated with something wrong, not to be repeated, not productive or even to be avoided. Failure is instead a growth tool for our brain, which learns by trial and error.

In the world of art and design, we increasingly see standardised products. Students are so afraid of making mistakes that they develop designs that obey the rules but are often docile and lacking innovation. Instead, the role of artists and designers must be that of challenging the unknown, welcoming errors and using them as an opportunity to generate new thinking. So, how can we change this approach and integrate what we consider waste into the creation process?

The workshop Sull’errore. Metodi e pratiche interdisciplinari di creazione tra arte, design e neuroscienze proposed by Numero Cromatico, aims at changing the students’ attitude towards the concept of the “error” and use it as a potential tool. Sull’errore is an interdisciplinary workshop that mixes art, design and neuroscience, to challenge conventions and reflect on the methodologies of creation in art and design. Theoretical insights, workshop practices, performance, and the realisation of different outputs were the results of the workshop, as well as the elaboration of a final exhibition.