designstudies
Design studies is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes design as a social, cultural, material, and economic practice. It investigates how design shapes everyday life and, conversely, how social, political, technological, and environmental forces shape design. The field encompasses history, theory, criticism, and analysis of design phenomena, not only the creation of objects or systems.
Core topics include design history and theory, design criticism, and design ethics, as well as design for
Methods commonly used in design studies combine historical research, ethnography, discourse analysis, and case studies with
Education and research in design studies typically occur within universities through design schools, humanities, and social
Significance and aims: design studies provides critical perspectives for understanding design practice and education, informs policy