Abstract
This paper articulates a critical approach to researching design as a contemporary phenomenon that was developed through my doctoral research. The approach - critical anthropology of design - is a combination of anthropology of design, critical strategies borrowed from other fields, and a ‘Foucauldian’ theoretical toolkit, which together allow us to see design as a complex disciplinary apparatus. I advocate for such an approach – a switching of the disciplinary lens when studying design, and a more sceptical engagement between social disciplines and design – as essential for both robust critique and original insight. Such an approach is productive and necessary specifically where one’s intent is investigating how power is operant in and through design. The argument for criticality is followed by a discussion of the practicalities both methodological and ethical of implementing such an approach.
Keywords
critical research, power, discipline, anthropology of design
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2022.631
Citation
Bailey, J. (2022) Constructing a critical anthropology of contemporary design practices, in Lockton, D., Lenzi, S., Hekkert, P., Oak, A., Sádaba, J., Lloyd, P. (eds.), DRS2022: Bilbao, 25 June - 3 July, Bilbao, Spain. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2022.631
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Conference Track
Research Paper
Included in
Constructing a critical anthropology of contemporary design practices
This paper articulates a critical approach to researching design as a contemporary phenomenon that was developed through my doctoral research. The approach - critical anthropology of design - is a combination of anthropology of design, critical strategies borrowed from other fields, and a ‘Foucauldian’ theoretical toolkit, which together allow us to see design as a complex disciplinary apparatus. I advocate for such an approach – a switching of the disciplinary lens when studying design, and a more sceptical engagement between social disciplines and design – as essential for both robust critique and original insight. Such an approach is productive and necessary specifically where one’s intent is investigating how power is operant in and through design. The argument for criticality is followed by a discussion of the practicalities both methodological and ethical of implementing such an approach.