Thinking: Objects: Contemporary Approaches to Product Design

by Tim Parsons

Overview

Thinking: Objects: Contemporary Approaches to Product Design discusses influences on modern product design such as globalization, technology, the media and the need for a sustainable future, and demonstrates how readers can incorporate these influences into their own work. The book also discusses how readers can learn to read the signals an object sends, interpret meaning and discover historical context.

Thinking: Objects provides an essential reference tool that will enable you to find your own style and succeed in the industry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350034693
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	12/14/2017
Series:	Required Reading Range
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	75 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Tim Parsons is a product designer, writer and lecturer on design. He has worked with manufacturers in Britain and Europe and exhibited widely. He has contributed articles to publications including Blueprint and Phaidon's Design Classics. His London studio creates tableware, lighting, accessories, furniture, and more.

Table of Contents

How to get the most out of this book. Introduction. Perception: Design and politics; Value and the object; Reading form. Motivation: Conforming, reforming or contesting; Defining approaches; Aesthetic refinement; Collective memory and behaviour; Social inclusion; Materials and processes; Technological innovation; Ethics; Sustainability; Participation; Strategies and services; Design for debate. Process: The elusive design process; Design methodology; Thinking tools; Observation; Ideas generation; Drawing; Maquette and model-making. Context: Employment; Commission; Speculation. Sources: Bibliography; Picture credits; Acknowledgements.

Editorial Reviews

A perfect book for all levels on our 3D Design course, especially as it goes into detail about the story behind the product ... Very clean and easy to read.” —Kate Christman, University College Falmouth, UK

“Very relevant for the product design element of the course ... well illustrated combined with well placed theoretical references to stretch thinking.” —Sarah Britten-Jones, Thames Valley University, UK

“The book is clearly laid out and represents a thoughtful, diagrammatical approach to reading. Expertly written and crafted, it avoids the 'heavy image' approach of other general design books.” —Shea Tillman, Auburn University, USA

“The book has been very effective in making students understand the subject relevance in a real world context. The book also provides some very useful examples and very creative sketches. the layout is very visual and very attractive. It also provides information in a reader-friendly format.” —Usha Narasimhan, National Institute of Fashion Technology, India

“I was impressed with the book, due to the process and meaning behind the objects. Specifically, I loved the fact that the book talked about how it's also about our society as a collective (including politics, ethics, behaviours and services).” —Min Sun Lee, University of Montevallo, USA

“A well illustrated and produced book. Challenging ideas ... an insight into how designers work. Good page layout.” —E. Darby, Sotheby's Institute of Art, London

“Great book ... Nice layout - good pictures. All material is up to date which is very important.” —Christian Lystager, KEA, Denmark

“It covers all the main areas of design education process. The visible personal touch of the author, having experience as a tutor and designer, makes the book trustworthy and what differs it from others. Clear structure, good layout, good contemporary examples.” —Michal Stefanowski, Academy of Fine Arts, Poland

“I am impressed by the scope and richness of the content. Very interesting and sober analyses of 'phenomenons' within the design field. Well done! Relevant to anyone working professionally or in education.” —Olof Kolte, Lund University, Sweden

“This book gives a real insight into what it means to think and work as a product designer today. It reveals the breadth of the subject and gives an excellent understanding and appreciation of the multi-disciplinary nature of product design ... I think this book will be essential for students to get a deeper understanding of the definition of product design.” —Diane Simpson-Little, University of Sussex, UK

“A great primer giving readers a good introduction to this field.” —Lürzer's Archive, Vol. 5, 2009.

From the Publisher