Designing Things

A Critical Introduction to the Culture of Objects

AvPrasad Boradkar

Häftad, Engelska, 2010

607 kr

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Beskrivning

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. Click here to visit the companion website!

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2010-05-01
Mått:166 x 244 x 15 mm
Vikt:652 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:336
Förlag:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN:9781845204273

Utforska kategorier

Kulturvetenskap inom Samhälle och politik
Konsthistoria inom Kultur
Sociologi inom Samhälle och politik

Mer om författaren

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

Recensioner i media

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

Innehållsförteckning

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