Design, Words and History

Abstract

Every dominant movement in art has depended upon the development of an accompanying critical discourse. Using the writings of design critics and design journalists, this paper suggests that there are similar, albeit under-developed, discursive dimensions to the reception of innovative design. Critics, advertisers and commentators offer vocabularies of appreciation analogous to the critical discourses of artistic avant-gardes. These suggest the manner in which a design should be used or experienced, the nature of experiences that should follow, and the discontents with earlier forms that inspired it.

A major implication is that the lukewarm enthusiasm of the UK public for good design is unlikely to be overcome simply by exposure to it. Good design, of some kinds at least, can no more be expected to speak for itself than good art. It needs to be approached with some understanding of what it sets out to do, what is to be gained by engaging with it, motivated where appropriate by a new sensitivity to the shortcomings of what went before. Except amongst those already inclined to value design innovation, such frames of mind are unlikely to arise spontaneously. They depend on the promulgation of appropriate vocabularies of appreciation from within the relevant design communities, and these, like the discourses of modern art, will need to possess a critical and historical dimension.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anne Tomes

BIOGRAPHY

Anne Tomes is Professor of Design Research at Sheffield Hallam University. Before her move to academia, she gained industrial experience in new product development and worked for 12 years as a marketing consultant with many top organizations. Professor Tomes has researched and published widely within the marketing area and has written two student management textbooks. Her research interests currently focus on design discourse and product innovation, in which field she has recently completed three large-scale projects sponsored by the Design Council.

Peter Armstrong

Peter Armstrong is currently Professor of Management at Keele University, UK. After seven years as an R&D engineer, he returned to university to study sociology and is now best known for his research on the social aspects of accounting. He has also published widely on industrial relations and other aspects of management. Professor Armstrong's involvement with design research dates from 1995 and in association with Anne Tomes he has completed three research projects funded by the UK Design Council and published in leading journals and at international conferences in the design field.