Critical by Design?: Genealogies, Practices, Positions

Design has the potential to reshape socio-material realities but is often normative and violent, stabilizing the past, normalizing the present, and precluding just and sustainable futures. Critical by Design? aims to question and unpack the ambivalent tensions between design and critique, with contributions from design theory, practice, education, art theory, philosophy, and informatics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Transcript Verlag

Design, in its constructive and speculative nature, possesses a remarkable capacity to reshape the prevailing socio-material realities. Simultaneously, design is inherently normative, often carrying a sense of violence, as it stabilises the past, normalises the present, and forecloses upon just and sustainable futures. The contributions in this volume seek to reimagine concepts of critique that shape the field of design, challenge inherent blind spots within the discipline, and broaden our understanding of what critical design practices could entail. Drawing from diverse fields such as design theory, practice, and education, art theory, philosophy, and informatics, Critical by Design? aims to interrogate and unpack the complex and ambivalent tensions between design and critique.

The first chapter, titled "Introduction: Critical by Design," provides an overview of the volume's objectives and highlights the significance of critically engaging with design. The chapter explores the ways in which design shapes our everyday lives, the ethical implications of its practices, and the need for a more robust critique of design. It also introduces the various contributions that follow, each of which offers unique perspectives on the relationship between design and critique.

The second chapter, titled "Re-Thinking Critique in Design," examines the traditional approaches to critique in design and challenges their limitations. The chapter explores the role of critique in shaping design practices, the challenges of engaging with complex systems, and the need for a more interdisciplinary approach to critique. It also introduces the concept of "design critique as practice," which emphasises the practical application of critique in design projects.

The third chapter, titled "Questioning Design's Blind Spots," delves into the inherent blind spots of design and the ways in which they perpetuate inequality and injustice. The chapter explores the role of design in perpetuating dominant ideologies, the exclusion of marginalized voices, and the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to design. It also introduces the concept of "critical design practices," which aim to challenge and disrupt the status quo.

The fourth chapter, titled "Expanding Understandings of Critical Design Practices," showcases examples of critical design practices from various fields. The chapter explores the ways in which designers have used their skills and expertise to address social, environmental, and economic challenges, and the impact of their work on society. It also introduces the concept of "design for change," which emphasises the use of design to promote social and political change.

The fifth chapter, titled "Conclusion: Critical by Design," reflects upon the insights and conclusions drawn from the previous chapters. The chapter explores the potential of critical design to shape a more just and sustainable future, the challenges and limitations of the discipline, and the need for continued dialogue and collaboration between designers, critics, and other stakeholders.

In conclusion, Critical by Design? offers a valuable contribution to the field of design by challenging traditional notions of critique and promoting a more critical and interdisciplinary approach to design. The volume's contributions rethink concepts of critique that influence the field of design, question inherent blind spots of the discipline, and expand understandings of what critical design practices could be. By drawing from diverse fields and perspectives, the book aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted relationship between design and critique and to inspire designers and critics to work towards a more just and sustainable future.

Dimension: 240 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783837661040