Designing Knowledge: Emerging Perspectives in Design Studies Practices

Designing Knowledge emphasizes the role of designers and their practices in design studies by merging theory and practice. It explores how knowledge creation can contribute to an expanded and inclusive design practice, featuring a wide range of perspectives, methods, and approaches. The book encourages designers to reflect on their work in a new light and offers insights to professional designers and students on how to use these contributions to benefit the field of design.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Designing Knowledge is a groundbreaking book that takes a fresh approach to design studies by placing designers and their practices at the center of the discourse. By seamlessly merging theory and practice, it sheds light on the potential of knowledge creation to expand and inclusively redefine the field of design. This comprehensive volume brings together a diverse range of perspectives, methodologies, and approaches, encouraging designers to reexamine their work in a new light.

At its core, design studies practice revolves around the material and tangible exploration of knowledge production and mobilization within the realm of design. Through a series of 15 chapters, featuring a wide array of case studies, design practitioners and theorists delve into the intricate processes through which they generate and disseminate knowledge about design. These chapters explore various themes, including the dismantling of colonial structures in modernist design, the departure from privileged spaces in art historical concepts, the reconciliation of traditional Indigenous design with contemporary practices, the integration of personhood into design, the creation of wellbeing-oriented communities, the principles of informed accountability, and the exploration of the ecocene.

Furthermore, the book delves into the analysis of languages and typographic representations, investigating the nature of graphic and typographic translations of literary texts. A case study of Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges is used to illustrate the complexities involved in this translation process. By elevating the voices of designers and their work, Designing Knowledge provides valuable insights to professional designers as well as students, equipping them with the tools they need to utilize these contributions effectively in their future projects.

One of the key strengths of this book is its emphasis on raising designers' awareness throughout their practice. By highlighting the significance of design thinking, it encourages others to reflect on their work and share their own knowledge for the benefit of the broader design community. This collaborative spirit fosters a sense of inclusivity and fosters the growth of a more diverse and dynamic field of design.

In conclusion, Designing Knowledge is a transformative work that revolutionizes the way we think about design and its role in shaping our world. By positioning designers and their practices at the center of design studies, it offers a wealth of insights and perspectives that inspire designers to push the boundaries of their craft and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable design practice. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the field of design, as it provides a valuable roadmap for navigating the complex terrain of knowledge production and mobilization in design.

Weight: 628g
Dimension: 158 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350319875