
Critical Design in Context
History, Theory and Practices
Matt Malpass(Author)
Bloomsbury Visual Arts (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Will be published approx. on 19. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-350-41571-3 (ISBN)
Description
Critical Design in Context has become a key text in design literature offering a conceptual introduction to the methods and operation of Critical and Speculative Design practice, and explaining how critical design can work in practice through a range of contemporary examples.
Critical Design moves away from traditional approaches that limit design's role to the production of profitable objects, focusing instead on a practice that is interrogative, discursive and experimental. Since its publication and continued dissemination there is a much more diverse and plural body of practice that can be presented and discussed in a context of Critical Speculative Design (CSD) beyond the scope and gaze of the industrial designer.
This second edition begins to address this plurality in practice and extends the examples presented. It considers Interaction Design (UI, UX), Futures and anticipatory innovation and design examples from critical service design, fashion design and design led social innovation. The text focuses more on the relationship between critical / speculative design and design futures, experiential futures, and foresight. It introduces plural ontological design and its world-building agency in address to complex matters of concern. In this new edition, the author also draws upon and celebrates the theoretical work of Deepa Butoliya, Daniela K Rosner and others who have moved the contextual discourse of critical design to consider more diverse accounts and interpretations of the practice.
Finally, a new discussion will demonstrate how the use and prominence of critical and speculative practices in design culture emerges, re-emerges and is today sustained relative to socio-economic agitation and global matters of concern. This discussion will show a direct correlation of CSD to global events and their impacts on the design profession.
Critical Design moves away from traditional approaches that limit design's role to the production of profitable objects, focusing instead on a practice that is interrogative, discursive and experimental. Since its publication and continued dissemination there is a much more diverse and plural body of practice that can be presented and discussed in a context of Critical Speculative Design (CSD) beyond the scope and gaze of the industrial designer.
This second edition begins to address this plurality in practice and extends the examples presented. It considers Interaction Design (UI, UX), Futures and anticipatory innovation and design examples from critical service design, fashion design and design led social innovation. The text focuses more on the relationship between critical / speculative design and design futures, experiential futures, and foresight. It introduces plural ontological design and its world-building agency in address to complex matters of concern. In this new edition, the author also draws upon and celebrates the theoretical work of Deepa Butoliya, Daniela K Rosner and others who have moved the contextual discourse of critical design to consider more diverse accounts and interpretations of the practice.
Finally, a new discussion will demonstrate how the use and prominence of critical and speculative practices in design culture emerges, re-emerges and is today sustained relative to socio-economic agitation and global matters of concern. This discussion will show a direct correlation of CSD to global events and their impacts on the design profession.
Reviews / Votes
A robust introduction to critical design and provides a sound introduction to key practitioners in the field. Any designer ready to critique the conservative tendencies of a field dominant in cultural production must read this book. * Katherine Moline, Associate Professor of Art and Design, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia *More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
42 colour illus
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
436 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-41571-3 (9781350415713)
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
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
01/2026
2nd Edition
Bloomsbury Visual Arts
€26.49
Available for download

E-Book
01/2026
2nd Edition
Bloomsbury Visual Arts
€26.49
Available for download
Person
Matt Malpass is a designer and theorist working to advance design's agency through critical design practice. As Reader in Critical Design Practice at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, his work investigates how design can function as a tool for critique, speculation, and social innovation, shaping discourse around contemporary challenges.
Content
List of Figures
Preface
1. Introducing critical design
2. History
3. Theories, methods and tactics
4. Criticism, function and discipline
5. Practice
6. Critical design practice and its disciplinary contribution
References
Index
Preface
1. Introducing critical design
2. History
3. Theories, methods and tactics
4. Criticism, function and discipline
5. Practice
6. Critical design practice and its disciplinary contribution
References
Index