Design for Dasein: Understanding the Design of Experiences

by Thomas Wendt

Overview

The rise of experience design and service design is familiar to anyone involved in design practice. This shift from the design of artifacts to the design of intangible services and experiences calls for a new understanding of design's place in the world. If experience designers are unique in their ability to "design an experience," then understanding the nature of experience should be a priority. This book aims to build on our current understanding of experience design through the lens of phenomenology, a practical philosophy of human existence, interaction, and experience.

Design for Dasein draws from (post)-phenomenology, object studies, philosophy of technology, hermeneutics, design thinking, and design theory to argue that experience design is a phenomenological endeavor, and that phenomenology is a designerly endeavor.

This book is written for readers who stand in the middle of academic and practitioner poles. It attempts to bridge the gap between detached academia and non-critical practice by offering theoretically-grounded understanding of experience design.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940153934747
Publisher:	Thomas Wendt
Publication date:	12/27/2016
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	220 KB

About the Author

Thomas Wendt is an independent design strategist, author, facilitator, activist, educator, and speaker based in New York City. He splits his time between client engagements and independent scholarship.

His client work includes building sustainable human-centered design capabilities through workshops, training programs, and coaching, along with projects encompassing early stage design research, co-design, and service design. Thomas has worked with clients ranging from large companies to nonprofits and activist groups.

Thomas’s first book, Design for Dasein, deals with the relationship between experience design and practical philosophy. It explores the emerging practice of designing experiences through the lens of phenomenology, a philosophical perspective concerned with how humans experience the world. His second book, Persistent Fools: Cunning Intelligence and the Politics of Design, explores the role of cunning intelligence and deception to make more socially, culturally, and ecologically sustainable design decisions, as well as a means of resisting oppressive design.

Thomas speaks at conferences across the world and is published in both academic journals and practitioner publications on topics such as philosophy of design, design theory, sustainability, design research, design thinking, and the politics of design.

He also enjoys escaping to a remote cabin in the woods whenever possible, single malt scotch, and practicing yoga.