Defuturing: A New Design Philosophy

Defuturing: A New Design Philosophy, first published in 1999, presents a new perspective on the history, context, and futures of designing. It argues that designing is doubly implicated in the negation of world futures and offers a mode of acting in the world that can help contest this process. The book uses concrete examples to expose the archaeology of defuturing and presents the elements of a new practical reasoning of design acting.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

“Once one grasps the essence and scope of defuturing as the negation of world futures, the way one accounts for the history and creation of the material world, including design, undergoes a significant transformation. Defuturing, as our prevailing condition, necessitates the emergence of a novel design philosophy.

This book offers a groundbreaking perspective on the past, context, and potential futures of designing. Originally published in 1999, it has been reissued with a new preface by the author. Defuturing: A New Design Philosophy is a prophetic and influential exploration of what it means to recognize that we inhabit a world that is actively erasing futures for ourselves and non-human others. It argues that designing is doubly implicated in this process, first in its contributions to the creation of unsustainable systems, and second, when re-examined through the lens of defuturing, as a mode of acting in the world that can challenge the negation of the world.

By employing a concrete analysis of real-world examples rather than abstract theorizing, the book uncovers the archaeology of defuturing. It shatters the illusion that the future simply "is" and confronts designing with the task of remaking. At the same time, it provides the foundations of a new practical reasoning for design acting.

Through its insightful and thought-provoking exploration, Defuturing offers a transformative perspective on designing and its role in shaping the world. It challenges designers to reimagine their practices and embrace a more responsible and sustainable approach to creating the future.”

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 157 x 235 x 246 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350089532