Readings in Design: Work and Industry

3 units

What is a designer? An artist, or an entrepreneur? A professional, or a worker? A maker of things, or an administrator of systems? A community leader, or agent of capitalism? In this seminar, we will explore recent writing by design scholars and design practitioners who are, in different ways, asking about the role of designers in society. While learning the histories and theories guiding current debates, the course offers a space for students to reflect critically on the present and future of the design professions in discussion, weekly writing exercises, and a semester-long research project.