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Design History

Understanding Theory and Method

  • Textbook
Design History cover

Design History

Understanding Theory and Method

  • Textbook
Quantity
Pre-order. Available Jan 21 2027
$59.35 RRP $65.95 Website price saving $6.60 (10%)

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This title is available for exam copy requests

Description

This is a revised and updated introduction to the diverse range of theories and methodologies in design history.

Design history has become a complex and wide-ranging discipline, examining artefacts from conception to development, production, mediation and consumption. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the seminal theoretical frameworks and methodological underpinnings for analyzing objects in recent decades, tracing the historiography, interdisciplinary approaches and key issues concerning knowledge and meaning in design.

Restructured and updated throughout, this new edition includes:

- Expanded analysis of design history in dialogue with neighbouring fields such as design research, material culture, museology, anthropology, business history and the history of technology
- Perspectives and findings from recent scholarship focusing on decolonial approaches, politics of identity and pluralistic outlooks in design history
- New illustrations, now in colour, including examples beyond Eurocentric contexts
- Two new chapters covering:

1. Geographies of design history, discussing world history, globalization and the planetary, as well as regional histories, decolonial approaches and the notion of the transnational
2. Ecologies of design history, addressing the attempts to grapple with issues of ecology, sustainability and environmental concerns

A map to the intellectual landscape of design history, this book is an invaluable and up-to-date guide for both students and scholars.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1. Historiographies
Chapter 2. Objects and Objectives
Chapter 3. Theories and Methodologies
Chapter 4. Epistemologies
Chapter 5. Geographies
Chapter 6. Ecologies

Conclusion

Notes
Bibliography
Index

Product details

Published Jan 21 2027
Format Paperback
Edition 2nd
Pages 224
ISBN 9781350568112
Imprint Bloomsbury Visual Arts
Illustrations 60 colour illus
Dimensions 246 x 189 mm
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Kjetil Fallan

Kjetil Fallan is Professor of Design History at th…

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