Design That Matters evaluates design from the perspective of the consumer, and stems from the pressing issue of too much design not creating better design. As more design students graduate and start to create and manufacture goods, decisions about making and purchasing become increasingly complex - and crucial. This overabundance and choice requires both the consumer and designer to ask: What makes design matter? Design That Matters presents answers to that question. An introductory essay contextualises the questions raised, examining how the role of the designer has recently shifted because of commercial systems like the 'annual model change' in the automotive industry; the emergence of the notion of 'planned obsolescence' and how the 'USP' (unique selling point) has made too many products that do almost the same thing. With these factors producing more, and not necessarily better design, Design That Matters highlights designers and projects creating desirable objects that people both want and need. Kenneth Grange, for example, writes about who deserves good design, featuring his project The Edith Chair, created for the elderly.
The book also presents a timely survey of designers' projects that tackle pressing issues in fresh and innovative ways, such as how to present important information in a way that makes it inviting, what design for happiness might look like and how to use materials and resources in a sustainable and responsible way. Featured designers include Industrial Facility, Priestman Goode, Kenneth Grange, Sagmeister & Walsh and Seymour Powell. In focusing on novel and innovative projects, Design That Matters stresses that design can be responsible and ethical, and simultaneously surprising and delightful.
- ISBN10 1908966009
- ISBN13 9781908966001
- Publish Date 31 August 2013
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Black Dog Press
- Imprint Black Dog Publishing London UK
- Format Paperback
- Pages 240
- Language English