Designing Things

Prasad Boradkar is Associate Professor of Industrial Design and Director of InnovationSpace at Arizona State University.

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. Culture A highly accessible introduction to an overwhelmingly complex topic ... Boradkar's multidisciplinary approach is well crafted and rewarding, resulting in an original and critical introduction to design culture. For designers and design students, Designing Things makes a fine entry point into the broader field of design studies, while for historians and other non-designers it offers an instructive view of how the field looks from the perspective of design practice and education. At its best, the book even manages to blur the distinction. Design and Culture

• 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