A witty, tongue-in-cheek discussion of design’s potentials and pitfalls
In focusing on creating preferable conditions, the discipline of design is optimistic by default. And yet, vernacular manifestations of skepticism, dissatisfaction and even resentment toward design abound. Instead of systematically discarding them, can these "sad passions" shed a valuable light on the blind spots of the field? Can disillusion be something more than disillusionment? Can it become an emotional method to unveil design’s dysfunctions and contradictions? Author Silvio Lorusso looks into historical and present manifestations of design disillusion to shorten the gap between expectations and reality when it comes to the everyday practice of designers. Using humorous and irreverent visuals, often containing jokes about design, Lorusso constructs thoughtful dichotomies on such topics as synthesis and autonomy, power and impotence, and aspirations and compromise. The result is an amusing yet academic consideration of the design profession and its future. Silvio Lorusso (born 1985) is the author of Entreprecariat: Everyone Is an Entrepreneur. Nobody Is Safe. He holds a PhD in Design Sciences from the Iuav University of Venice, and is an assistant professor and vice-director of the Center for Other Worlds at the Lusófona University in Lisbon.
A spread from 'What Design Can’t Do.'
STATUS: Out of stock
Temporarily out of stock pending additional inventory.
Wednesday, April 24, from 6:30–8:30 PM, Lower East Side select shop Bungee Space hosts buoyantly critical Dutch publisher Set Margins’ for the group launch of six new titles. Join us for short author talks and a general celebration of like open minds! continue to blog
FORMAT: Pbk, 5 x 8 in. / 352 pgs / 75 b&w. LIST PRICE: U.S. $25.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $37.5 ISBN: 9789083350134 PUBLISHER: Set Margins' Publications AVAILABLE: 3/26/2024 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: Out of stock TERRITORY: NA LA ASIA AFR ME
What Design Can’t Do Essays on Design and Disillusion
Published by Set Margins' Publications. By Silvio Lorusso.
A witty, tongue-in-cheek discussion of design’s potentials and pitfalls
In focusing on creating preferable conditions, the discipline of design is optimistic by default. And yet, vernacular manifestations of skepticism, dissatisfaction and even resentment toward design abound. Instead of systematically discarding them, can these "sad passions" shed a valuable light on the blind spots of the field? Can disillusion be something more than disillusionment? Can it become an emotional method to unveil design’s dysfunctions and contradictions?
Author Silvio Lorusso looks into historical and present manifestations of design disillusion to shorten the gap between expectations and reality when it comes to the everyday practice of designers. Using humorous and irreverent visuals, often containing jokes about design, Lorusso constructs thoughtful dichotomies on such topics as synthesis and autonomy, power and impotence, and aspirations and compromise. The result is an amusing yet academic consideration of the design profession and its future.
Silvio Lorusso (born 1985) is the author of Entreprecariat: Everyone Is an Entrepreneur. Nobody Is Safe. He holds a PhD in Design Sciences from the Iuav University of Venice, and is an assistant professor and vice-director of the Center for Other Worlds at the Lusófona University in Lisbon.
