THE SEMANTIC DEBATE IN DESIGN THEORIES APPLIED TO PRODUCT IDENTITY CREATION

DS 68-2: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 11), Impacting Society through Engineering Design, Vol. 2: Design Theory and Research Methodology, Lyngby/Copenhagen, Denmark, 15.-19.08.2011

Year: 2011
Editor: Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Reich, Y.
Author: Bonnemaire, Gregoire; Liem, Andre
Series: ICED
Section: Design Theory and Research Methodology
Page(s): 130-141

Abstract

The process of form giving is a complex topic for product designers and is inherently connected to the field of aesthetics. Fundamental questions need answers. Are there absolute aesthetic principles that, if followed, can guarantee a “good form” and a successful product? What importance should user and market response be given? This highlights the debate on the extent to which the designer is entitled to be the only judge of a product’s aesthetics, as well as on how much other stakeholders (such as client companies, product users) have a say in the product’s meaning creation through its form. In the past century the modernist paradigm and its translation in functionalist principles for product design has prevailed. However this paradigm has been increasingly challenged in the beginning of this century with the emergence of human-centered design theories. This article attempts to give an overview of how this paradigm shift from positivist to constructivist philosophical worldviews has impacted design theories and form-giving principles. The purpose is to give young designers a basis for reflection on aesthetics and the creation of meaning and identity through form giving.

Keywords: WORLDVIEWS; PRODUCT IDENTITY; PARADIGM SHIFT; HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN; DESIGN SEMANTICS

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