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Design History

Understanding Theory and Method

  • Textbook
Design History cover

Design History

Understanding Theory and Method

  • Textbook
Quantity
Available on Dec 10 2026
$40.45

Available for purchase via Bloomsbury etextbooks on publication date

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.

Accessibility Information

Additional accessibility information

  • PDF/UA-2, 1.4
  • accessibility@bloomsbury.com

Hazards

The publication contains no hazards

Support for non-visual reading

Has alternative text descriptions for images

Navigation

  • Page list to go to pages from the print source version
  • Elements such as headings, tables, etc for structured navigation
  • All or substantially all textual matter is arranged in a single logical reading order

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 Dec 10 2026
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 2nd
Pages 224
ISBN 9781350568136
Imprint Bloomsbury Visual Arts
Illustrations 60 colour illus
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Kjetil Fallan

Kjetil Fallan is Professor of Design History at th…

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