Design Critique - SDES9753

This course provides students with opportunities to explore how designers critique design orthodoxies through practice. Students analyse design criticism and design manifestos to identify world views implied by the texts. The lecture series introduces key concepts of design critique through practice, and develops studio discussions around a series of projects and course readings. The course explores the use of analogy in design including: 'design as rescue' (sustainability); 'design as science' (the design methods movement); 'design as social work' in the recent debates around 'design as care'; and 'design as good taste' evident in much popular commentary. Students explore the possibilities of practical critique in design through engagement with the conceptual underpinings of design practice and a focus on the roles of various players.