Abstract
Designers are traditionally seen, when not as mere applied art practitioners, as problem solvers. Different from other artsy disciplines, “designerly ways” (Cross, 1982) are characterized by focusing on addressing problems, and improving human life (Frascara, 2006). What is not commonly known is that rather than problem-solving, design disciplines can be problem-seeking disciplines (Oxman, 2018) and designers can be also good problem identifiers, by training or by experience. Designers can be reflective practitioners, as well as generalists, and work as synthesists (Papanek, 1998). This essay reflects on these aspects and how they shape design theory and practice, and on the role of designers as problem identifiers at the verge of significant changes involved in a current anthropocentric disciplinary crisis.
Presenters
Carlos FiorentinoAssistant Professor, Information Design, Mount Royal University, Alberta, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Anthropocentric Design, Generalist Practitioners, Sustainability, Regenerative Cultures, Interdiciplinarity, Biocentered Design
