Product Design, Technology, and Social Change

A pocket history of product design from the birth of cities to the digital design revolution, this cultural history critically examines the development of product design, considering major milestones in the mass production of goods and services and aiming to incorporate a more inclusive worldview than traditional surveys of the topic. The breadth and versatility of product design throughout history have been profound. Products have long supported the integration and interpretation of emerging technologies into our lives. These objects include everything from tools, accessories, furniture and clothing to types of transportation, websites and mobile applications. Products provide singular or multiple functions, are tangible and intangible and in many instances have affected the quality of our lives by saving time or money or by increasing feelings of personal satisfaction. At the same time, many products have negatively affected people and the environment. For nearly every product that makes it into the hands of a consumer, there is also a designer who created it and someone who laboured to make it. An eye-opening survey of product design from preindustrial times to the present day, Product Design, Technology, and Social Change provides a thorough examination of the relationship between products, consumption, sustainability, politics and social movements. Laura Scherling is a designer, researcher and educator. She is an adjunct faculty member at Columbia University in New York City. This cultural history critically examines product design and its development from pre-industrial times to the present day, considering major milestones in the mass production of goods and services, aiming to incorporate a more inclusive worldview than traditional surveys of the topic. The breadth and versatility of product design through history has been profound. Products have long supported the integration and interpretation of emerging technologies into our lives. These objects include everything from tools, accessories, furniture, and clothing, to types of transportation, websites, and mobile apps. Products provide singular or multiple functions, are tangible and intangible, and in many instances have impacted the quality of our lives by saving time or money or by increasing feelings of personal satisfaction. At the same time, many products have negatively impacted people and the environment. For nearly every product that makes it into the hands of a consumer, there is also a designer who created it and someone who laboured to make it. Examines the relationship between products, consumption, sustainability, politics, and social movements. This "pocket history" surveys product design from the agricultural revolution and the birth of cities, through industrialisation, and a digital design revolution.