Introduction to Design Theory: Philosophy, Critique, History and Practice

Introduction to Design Theory provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of design discourse, covering central concepts, definitions, historical milestones, and its relations to culture, industry, body, ecology, language, society, gender, and ideology. It showcases design theory as an emerging sub-discipline with a practice-based approach and a broad perspective, discussing key case studies and historical examples. The book emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of design and encourages readers to engage with it from various perspectives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 10 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Introduction to Design Theory provides a comprehensive, systematic, and pedagogical overview of the discourse of design. This textbook is designed as both a course book and a research resource, covering the core concepts of design theory, design definitions, historical milestones, and its relationships to culture, industry, the body, ecology, language, society, gender, and ideology.

The book highlights a shift towards the significance of the sociocultural context in which products are manufactured and embedded, showcasing design theory as an emerging sub-discipline of design. Unique in its practice-based approach and broad perception of design, it offers an in-depth understanding of central concepts such as form and function, theory and practice, through a discussion of key case studies and historical examples. These include the advent of design in antiquity, the introduction of mass production to modernist design, and the ideological shifts in design in the mid-twentieth century. Additionally, the book provides analytical tools for further dissection and learning in practice.

With a focus on a combination of several theoretical knowledge foundations, including aesthetics and philosophy, critical theories, cultural studies, design history, and design anthropology, the reader is enabled to approach design as a central pivot around which contemporary culture revolves. The book aims to engage undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as teachers and scholars, from across the design disciplines, departing from the traditional academic compartmentalization of practice, history, and philosophy.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032106182