Design and Society: Social Issues in Technological Design (Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics, 36)

This book discusses concepts of good design from social perspectives grounded in anthropology, sociology and philosophy, the goal being to provide readers with an awareness of social issues to help them in their work as design professionals. Each chapter covers a specific area of good practice in design, explaining and applying a small set of related concepts to a series of case studies, and including a list of additional sources recommended for further study. The book does not assume any specialized, technical background knowledge; it is not a how-to book that offers technical instruction. Yet, it focuses on the assessment of designs, addressing concepts qualitatively (with a small exception for the concept of risk). Based on an established university course on Design and Society at the Centre for Society, Technology, and Values that the author offers for students from a variety of disciplines, the book represents a valuable resource for students in engineering, architecture and industrial design – helping prepare them for careers as design professionals – and for all readers in design-related professions interested in understanding a side of design that they may well never have considered systematically. Because of its broad scope and non-technical presentation style, the book may also appeal to general readers interested in social issues in design and technology. Preface 6 Contents 9 1 What Is Good Design? 14 Good Design 14 Case Study: The Garbino 14 Dieter Rams 16 Minimalism: Less but Better 16 Omit the Unimportant 19 Clarity 20 Restraint 22 Progressiveness 24 Case Study: The Vitsoe 606 24 Innovativeness 26 Case Study: The Bruno 27 Critique: Is Good Design Too Dull? 28 References 31 2 Rational Design 32 Abstract 32 The Best Solution 32 Case Study: The Open Office 33 Herbert Simon 35 Design Problems 37 The Design Environment 38 Rational Design 39 Case Study: The Diet Problem 40 Obstacles to Rationality 41 Bounded Rationality 42 Unintended Consequences 43 References 44 3 Social Psychology 46 Abstract 46 Social Expertise 46 Case Study: Revolving Doors 47 Technotonicity: Technotonic 48 Case Study: The Bugaboo Frog 49 Technotonicity: Technostressing 50 Case Study: Digital Watches 51 Social Influence 54 Social Technotonicity: Technotonic 55 Social Technotonicity: Technostressing 56 Trust 57 Trusting Things 58 Level of Trust 59 Assessing Trustworthiness 60 Case Study: Dog Sitting 60 References 61 4 Style 63 Abstract 63 Form and Function 63 Reductionism: Style is Function 64 Honesty 65 Dishonesty 66 Structuralism: Style is Social Signaling 67 Decorum 68 Case Study: Pixar HQ 70 Case Study: Monster Home 70 Commercialism: Style is Marketing 72 Case Study: Coca Cola Bottles 73 Fashion 74 Critique: Can Style Without Function Be Good? 75 References 77 5 Culture 79 Abstract 79 Social Groups 79 Culture 80 Culture and Good Design 81 Modernism 82 Case Study: La Villa Savoye 83 Contextualism: Fit with Cultural Context 85 Case Study: Insect Flour 85 Case Study: Jaipur Foot 86 Progressivism: What About Innovation? 87 Raymond Loewy and MAYA 89 Case Study: The Gestetner Mimeograph 90 Culture and Advancement 91 Case Study: The Failure of the Airflow 93 Ahead of Its Time 93 Adapting Design: Appropriate Technology 96 Case Study: The Nut Sheller 97 References 98 6 Social Contract 100 Abstract 100 Rational and Moral Design 100 Don’t Be Evil 101 Case study: The BroApp 102 Two Kinds of Good 103 Rational Versus Moral 104 Rights 106 A Social Contract 107 Case Study: Crosswalks 107 A Range of Social Contracts 108 Case Study: Parking 109 Case Study: Airline Seats 111 Defaults 113 Case study: Default Menus 114 References 115 7 Social Agendas 116 Abstract 116 Introduction 116 Case Study: The Juicy Salif 117 Postmodernism 119 Agendas 119 Genderism 120 Mythologizing 122 Design for Housework 123 Case Study: Big Fridges 125 Consumerism 126 Case Study: The Bic Pen 126 Environmentalism 127 Technology Solutionism 129 Case Study: Waze 130 Taylorism 131 Case Study: The Efficiency Desk 132 References 134 8 Activism 136 Abstract 136 Introduction 136 Case Study: Knee Defender 137 Guerilla Activism 138 Case Study: The MOM Incubator 138 Humanitarianism 139 Emily Pilloton 140 Case Study: The Learning Landscape 141 Social Entrepreneurism 142 Case Study: The Remotion Knee 144 Critique: Technological Colonialism 144 Critique: Good Intentions 146 References 148 9 Social Spaces 149 Abstract 149 Introduction 149 Case Study: Turn to the Future 150 Spatial Justice 151 Case Study: Food Deserts 152 Case Study: A Right to Food 152 Case Study: A Right to Pee 153 Spatial Exclusion 154 Spatial Integration 156 Case Study: The Brooklyn Bridge 157 Case Study: Johannesburg 158 Gentrification 158 Case Study: High Line Park 160 Case Study: Pop-up Parks 161 Urban Activism 162 Case Study: Tactical Urbanism 163 References 164 10 Risk 166 Abstract 166 Introduction 166 Case Study: Semi-automated Cars 167 Risks 168 A Formal Model of Risk 169 Safety Trade-Offs 170 Collectivism 172 Externalities 172 Equity 174 Case Study: Cyclist Alert 175 Individualism 176 Case Study: Smart Pacemakers 177 References 178 11 Fairness 180 Abstract 180 Introduction 180 Case Study: Light Alert 181 Fairness 182 Predictions and Accuracy 183 The Taylor-Russell Diagram 185 Kinds of Results 186 Tradeoff Between Errors 187 Error and Fairness 188 Fairness and LightAlert 189 Fairness Impact Assessment 190 FIA: LightAlert 190 Privacy 192 Case Study: Ratsit.se 194 Health 196 Skin Scan 196 References 198 12 Progress 200 Abstract 200 Introduction 200 Case Study: Brain Stimulation 201 Thync 202 The Concept of Moral Progress 204 A Dilemma of Progress 204 Permissive and Precautionary Strategies 206 Case Study: VapShot 207 VapShot Dilemma 209 Institutional Bias 210 Case Study: Self-driving Cars 211 References 213 13 Sustainability 215 Abstract 215 Introduction 215 Case Study: Shower Heads 216 Case Study: Power Drills 217 Collaborative Consumption 218 Sustainability and Progress 219 Consumption and Efficiency 220 Jevons’ Paradox 222 Explanations 223 Case Study: Lighting 224 Biosynergism 226 Organicism 226 Environmentalism 228 Linear Versus Circular 229 References 231 Videos 233 Index 238 Front Matter....Pages i-xiii What Is Good Design?....Pages 1-18 Rational Design....Pages 19-32 Social Psychology....Pages 33-49 Style....Pages 51-66 Culture....Pages 67-87 Social Contract....Pages 89-104 Social Agendas....Pages 105-124 Activism....Pages 125-137 Social Spaces....Pages 139-155 Risk....Pages 157-170 Fairness....Pages 171-190 Progress....Pages 191-205 Sustainability....Pages 207-224 Back Matter....Pages 225-234