Book description
Design History has become a complex and wide-ranging discipline. It now
examines artefacts from conception to development, production,
mediation, and consumption. Over the last few decades, the discipline
has developed a diverse range of theories and methodologies for the
analysis of objects. Design History presents the most comprehensive
overview and guide to these developments. The book first traces the
development of the discipline, explaining how it draws from Art History,
Industrial Design, Cultural History and Material Culture Studies. The
core of the book then analyses the seminal methodologies used in Design
History today. The final section highlights the key issues concerning
knowledge and meaning in Design. Throughout, the aim is to present a
concise and accessible introduction to this complex field. A map to the
intellectual landscape of Design History, the book will be an invaluable
guide for students and a very useful reference for scholars. This
essential guide to the field of design history offers a nuanced survey
of ongoing debates, suggests the use of new interdisciplinary
performance theories, and clarifies epistemological issues surrounding
design and modernization. Jeffrey L. Meikle, University of Texas at
Austin Fallan's methodological survey is opinionated, sharp and
persuasive... This is an extremely useful and engaging account. Grace
Lees-Maffei, University of Hertfordshire Addressing the various changes
which have occurred in the writing of design history since its emergence
as a discrete discipline, Design History is an accessible yet
authoritative analysis of a variety of methodological frameworks,
assessing their suitability and relative merits for the design
historian...A massively useful resource. Paul Atkinson, Sheffield Hallam
University This book will be of great value to scholars in the field of
Design as an overview and critique of a highly interdisciplinary field.
It will be of even more value to students for its explanation of the
historiography and methodology of Design Studies and for the way it
strengthens our understanding of Design History. Anders V. Thoughtful
and provocative ... a timely contribution to the field. Design and
Culture Kjetil Fallan is Associate Professor of Design History in the
Dept of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas at the University
of Oslo.
