1st Edition

The Future Designer Anthropology Meets Innovation in Search of Sustainable Design

By Michael Leube Copyright 2024
286 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

286 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

286 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

During periods of environmental and societal upheaval, design has the potential to be a formidable catalyst towards a sustainable future. However, to unleash its full power, significant shifts in both theory and practice are imperative. This book adopts a unique approach, blending anthropological perspectives with philosophy and cognitive science, and advocates for a thorough transformation of... Read more

Introduction

Part 1: Hardware, Software and Malware

Chapter 1. The Human Conundrum

Chapter 2. Signals: Interactions with Our Surroundings

Chapter 3. Stories: How We Turn from Narrators to Protagonists

Chapter 4. Models: On Flawed Representations of Humans

Chapter 5. Consequences: Human Conduct with Finite Resources

Part 2: Amongst the Prometheans

Chapter 6. An Anthropologist Enters the World of Design

Chapter 7. The Impact of Design on Human Behavior

Chapter 8. Marketing and Its Grip on Design

Chapter 9. Modern Obsessions: The Holy Trinity of Design

Chapter 10. How Design Students Can Recover Meaning

Part 3: The Department of the Future Designer

Chapter 11. A New Curriculum for Design Schools

Chapter 12. Module One: Design for Sustainable Systems

Chapter 13. Module Two: Design for Humans Not Models

Chapter 14. Module Three: Design as Applied Ethics

Conclusion: Design Optimism

Biography

Michael Leube, Ph.D., is a design anthropologist who serves as a university professor, author and consultant. Co-authoring two books on the circular economy and contributing to numerous articles in scientific journals, he specialises in design for social innovation and humanitarian design. His unique approach integrates anthropology, ethics and sustainability to shape a forward-looking design education focused on resilience. This approach has garnered invitations to instruct at prestigious design and architecture schools across Europe and to speak at design consultancies like IDEO and Fjord. Notably, he delivered a TED talk titled "Why designers should urgently listen to anthropologists." Leube has held positions as professor of anthropology at IE University, University of California, University of Santa Clara, London School of Economics, Syracuse University and Salzburg University of Applied Sciences.

"Leube pulls on threads from anthropology, design, and ecological justice to braid a compelling story of a future worth fighting for.”

Jonathan Chapman, Professor and Director of Doctoral Studies, School of Design, Carnegie Mellon University, USA