CCDN331: Reading - Theories For Design And For Things

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Theories For Design And For Things
There are many different definitions of what a theory is. This can be specific to the topic or subject it is being used in. "A theoretician therefore, identifies phenomena in the world, studies them and makes assertions about their underlying structure." 

 "The notion of design theory may seem wooly-headed and irrelevant but it has a place: theory can provide a structure for understanding problems and help generate methods for solving them" (Doblin 1988: 6).

 Critical Theory: "a rigorous critical engagement with social and philosophical issues which is aimed at the cross-fertilisation of research methods derived from the social sciences with a Marxist theoretical framework for conceptualising social relations." Critical theory has become more popular in the last few years and can be applied to more situations than before. The theory of theory itself has been look at by Max Horkheimer, the pioneer of critical theory:

  • Theory is "the sum-total of propositions about a subject, the propositions being so linked with each other that a few are basic and the rest derive from these."
  • "The smaller the number of primary principles in comparison with the derivations, the more perfect the theory."
  • "The real validity of the theory depends on the derived propositions being consonant with the actual facts. If experience and theory contradict each other, one of the two must be reexamined.

As critical theory has developed and relates to life outside of literature, it is transforming into the interdisciplinary cultural theory, which covers many different topics such as Marxism, feminism and postmodernism for example. "Cultural theory can be defined as a literature that aims to develop a systematically ordered model of the empirical world to explain the nature of culture and its implications for social life, (Smith, 2001).

 "Meanings of objects are context dependent and they change with changes in patio-temporal location, frame of reference, cultural environment etc. To be effective, theorisation should address all attributes of things that influence their existence and meaning in relation to people, other things and the environment. These attributes may be corporeal, ephemeral, economic, social, technological, cultural or political.


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I am a designer, currently studying Design Innovation at Victoria University of Wellington. My focus areas are website and mobile media development, interaction design, 3D modelling and animation and audio-visual space. My blog shows my journey through each project as well as my learning experience through university. What do I want to be when I grow up? I have no idea. But I love what I'm learning. Although there have been many bumps along the road in this journey and despite the fact that there are going to be many more, I wouldn't have it any other way.

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