Discursive Design
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Discursive Design
Discursive Design is a way of making objects or experiences that help people think about ideas or issues in new ways, and in theory, it often uses storytelling or imagined futures to do this. Designers working in this area sometimes use simple props or everyday materials to create a scene or situation that feels real, even if it is not meant to be used in daily life. This approach can help people picture what life could be like if things were different, making big or abstract topics easier to talk about. In theory, Discursive Design can be used to test how people react to new ideas before they become real products or systems, which can help guide future design work.
critical theory, speculative design, narrative, imagined futures
Discursive Design
Discursive Design is a design approach that prioritizes the communication of ideas, the provocation of thought, and the stimulation of discourse over the creation of purely functional or aesthetically pleasing objects. It is a practice that uses design as a means to engage with complex social, political, and cultural issues, often challenging conventional norms and encouraging critical reflection. Discursive Design projects often take the form of speculative or conceptual designs, such as hypothetical products, services, or scenarios that are not necessarily intended to be commercially viable but rather serve as a catalyst for discussion and debate. These designs often employ irony, satire, or exaggeration to highlight the absurdities or contradictions in current systems or beliefs. By creating these provocative artifacts, Discursive Design aims to open up new spaces for dialogue, raise awareness about important issues, and ultimately inspire change in attitudes, behaviors, and policies. It is a field that blurs the boundaries between design, art, and activism, and it draws on various disciplines such as philosophy, sociology, and critical theory to inform its practice. Discursive Design recognizes the power of design to shape not only the material world but also the ideological and discursive landscapes that underpin our society, and it seeks to use this power responsibly and critically to foster a more reflective, engaged, and equitable world.
speculative design, critical design, design activism, social commentary, provocative artifacts, conceptual design, design for debate, design and politics, design and ethics
CITATION : "Robert Anderson. 'Discursive Design.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/discursive-design?E=431949 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
Discursive Design on Design+Encyclopedia
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