The Social Design Reader

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The Social Design Reader explores the ways in which design can be a catalyst for social change. Bringing together key texts of the last fifty years, editor Elizabeth Resnick traces the emergence of the notion of socially responsible design. This volume represents the authentic voices of the thinkers, writers and designers who are helping to build a canon of informed literature which documents the development of the discipline. The Social Design Reader is divided into three parts. Section 1: Making a Stand includes an introduction to the term social design and features papers which explore its historical underpinnings. Section 2: Creating the Future documents the emergence of social design as a concept, as a nascent field of study, and subsequently as a rapidly developing professional discipline, and Section 3: A Sea Change is made up of papers acknowledging social design as a firmly established practice. Contextualising section introductions are provided to aid readers in understanding the original source material, while summary boxes clearly articulate how each text fits with the larger milieu of social design theory, methods, and practice.

Reviews

This is a powerful and timely survey of the social design territory and its evolution in the past few decades. Resnick provides an insightful overview of the ways in which design is addressing some of the most pressing issues facing us in the 21st century. Essential reading. * Terry Irwin, Head of the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University, USA *
One of the most compelling design compendiums to emerge since the Looking Closer series! Resnicks selection of essays, both historical and contemporary, offers astute and critical discussions about the transformative potential of socially responsible design. This timely book makes for essential reading for design scholars and practitioners alike. * Fatima Cassim, Co-Editor of Image and Text journal, South Africa *
In times when some of the founding values of our society seem in crisis, it is urgent to question the social responsibility of designers. This collection of essays on social design, edited by Elizabeth Resnick, is a good starting point for every designer who sees in their practice a chance to promote social innovation. * Gianni Sinni, Deputy Director of the Design MA at the University of the Republic of San Marino *
Elizabeth Resnicks The Social Design Reader should be on every essential reading list in design schools everywhere. It provides a much-needed common vocabulary to discuss the maturation of design theory and practice over the last 50 years. The ideas in this book will be the catalyst for debate and discussion, dissertations, masters projects and research topics, and hopefully the material for a future edition. * Olwen Moseley, Professor of Design Industry Engagement at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK *
In times when 'social design' and 'design for good' have become ubiquitous labels too easily applied at a surface level, The Social Design Reader offers access to seminal readings and a starting point for a shared framework to challenge design's role in effecting change through critically examining foundations, methodologies, ethics, and efficacy. * Ann McDonald, Associate Professor of Design at Northeastern University, USA *
A crucial tool for anyone interested in learning more about the topics of [the social design] debate. * Ais/Design Journal (trans. by Bloomsbury) *

Author Bio

Elizabeth Resnick is Professor Emerita of Graphic Design at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, USA.