Geoff,
Thanks for reminding me of Gasparski's work. I have one of his books, and
it's just about time to re-read it!
Re your definition of design. I like it because it captures the necessary
breadth of a good design solution. But I wonder about the 'material culture'
part. Are you excluding the possibility of immaterial (non-material?)
activities as being design? Or is that where you focus your attention? Or do
you think immaterial things don't exist?
...not trying to make trouble. Just trying to understand what you meant in my
own twisted mind. :-)
Cheers.
Fil
Geoff Matthews wrote:
> Gunnar asked a very pertinent question 'Is design always innovative?'
>
> The renowned praxiologist, Gasparski, once made a convincing argument
> for a taxonomy of design which may be used to illustrate the
> epistemological difficulty of expressing a simple definition of design.
>
> Prophylactic, Therapeutic and Innovational ideas of design may arise
> from incommensurable views of the nature of practical situations in the
> world in which we may decide to intervene.
>
> The imperfection of my working definition reflects this difficulty as
> well as any:
>
> Design is: 'the exploration for and specification of realizable
> possibilities for change in the material culture'.
>
> refs:
> Gasparski, W. W. 'On the General Theory (Praxiology) of Design'
> (Department of Praxiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 1985)
>
> Matthews, G. M. 'The Moment of Design' (257-8)and 'Being at the Turning
> Point' (258-64) in Museum.Design.Organization: an exploration of
> spatialities and a project in modelling museum design activity,
> (doctoral thesis, University of Hull, 1996)
>
> Dr Geoff Matthews
> Design for Exhibition & Museums
> Lincoln School of Architecture
> University of Lincoln
> Brayford Pool
> Lincoln LN6 7TS
> UK
>
> T: +44 (0) 1522 837139
> F: +44 (0) 1522 837155
> E: [log in to unmask]
> http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/architecture/staff/155.asp
--
Prof. Filippo A. Salustri, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Ryerson University Tel: 416/979-5000 x7749
350 Victoria St. Fax: 416/979-5265
Toronto, ON email: [log in to unmask]
M5B 2K3 Canada http://deseng.ryerson.ca/~fil/
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