Jane
You might find the Penguin Dictionary of Design and Designers (1984) by
Simon Jervis of interest. The introductory essay offers an account of the
origins of the terms design and designer. I seem to recall there was a
review in the Design History Newsletter (should be in the Library at Wolves)
which criticised the selection in the dictionary. You could also look
through Journal of Design History which has occasionally carried pieces
which bear on the origins of the terms "dessin", and less frequently,
"disegno".
But bear in mind thar the earliest occurence of a word and its earliest
usage in the current sense are two completely different things.
Good luck!
Chris Bailey
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dhsweb [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Saturday, February 13, 1999 12:18 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: design
>
> Jane,
> I don't believe you received a response to this enquiry, so may I suggest
> the following:-
> The expanded multi-volume version of the Oxford English Dictionary is
> great for identifying first usage of words and the development of that
> usage. Wolverhampton University Library should have this. I suspect that
> its derivation is from the French "dessiner" to draw. However, if you
> meant in the sense of "industrial designer", you might find the following
> helpful:
> Woodham, Jonathan M, _The industrial designer and the public_
> (London, Pembridge, 1983) ISBN 0862060060
> Best wishes,
> Lesley Whitworth
> List Administrator
>
> On Fri, 22 Jan 1999, Jane Alexandra Webb wrote:
>
> > I am interested in finding out the earliest usage of the
> > word 'design' and 'designer' - can anyone help?
> > Jane Webb
> > Researcher - University of Wolverhampton
> >
> >
>
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