Designing Things
A Critical Introduction to the Culture of Objects
Published on 1. May 2010
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-84520-426-6 (ISBN)
Description
When and why did the turntable morph from playback device to musical instrument? Why have mobile phones evolved changeable skins? How many meanings can one attach to such mundane things as tennis balls? The answers to such questions illustrate this provocative book, which examines the cultural meanings of things and the role of designers in their design and production. Designing Things provides the reader with a map of the rapidly changing field of design studies, a subject which now draws on a diverse range of theories and methodologies - from philosophy and visual culture, to anthropology and material culture, to media and cultural studies. With clear explanations of key concepts - such as form language, planned obsolescence, object fetishism, product semantics, consumer value and user needs - overviews of theoretical foundations and case studies of historical and contemporary objects, Designing Things looks behind-the-scenes and beneath-the-surface at some of our most familiar and iconic objects.
Reviews / Votes
A must read for those interested in the world of things. It explains complicated theoretical texts in ways that will delight readers. David Brody, Parsons The New School for Design A lucid introduction to many of the theoretical perspectives that exist around objects and their design. For students it provides a deep understanding of the social meanings of design in both its production and consumption and the ethical issues that these raise. Guy Julier, Leeds Metropolitan University Provides the reader with a map of the rapidly changing field of design studies. New Design (2010) Of much use to designers struggling to identify any critical basis with which to begin reflecting upon their own practice. John Vines, Leonardo On-Line In addition to a thought-provoking examination of the role of designers in the design and production process, the book delves into the cultural meaning of our most familiar and iconic objects. CultureMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
100 b&w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 260 mm
Width: 183 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
832 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84520-426-6 (9781845204266)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Prasad Boradkar is Associate Professor of Industrial Design and Director of InnovationSpace at Arizona State University.
Content
Introduction 1. Theorizing Things: Disciplinary Diversity in Thinking about Objects 2. Valued Possessions: What are Things Worth? 3. Making Things: Labor in Production 4. Producing Things: A History of Systems of Manufacture 5. Beautiful Things: The Aesthetics of Surfaces 6. The Greed Imperative: User Needs in Product Design 7. Planned Obsolescence: Unsustainable Consumption 8. Objects as Signs: What do Things Mean? 9. The Obsession of Possession: Fetish Objects Conclusion Bibliography Index