Designed Object

The field of designed objects is broadly conceived to encourage exploratory study of the entire range of physical things that we use to facilitate and mediate our lives. Providing a creative and intellectual context in which the nature and potentiality of designed things can be closely examined and reimagined, designed objects as a field is focused on the crit- ical and experimental rethinking of the given norms of objects and products. Designed Objects explores in particular such issues as product norms — in interaction design, embedded technologies, user-centered design, design for sustainability — as well as the conceptual challenges to product culture given by critical thinking and fine arts practice and history. Teaching and advising in this area stresses interdisciplinary explorations and innovations in terms of products (widely conceived) that support and enhance people’s lives and endeavors and take a critical attitude to contemporary product culture.

The faculty teaching in this area of study traverse the field of experience in the designing, making, and critical analysis of designed objects. Students of the program are also able to draw on the knowledge and skills of faculty working in adjacent and complementary fields such as design for emerging technologies; architecture and interior architecture; visual communication; art and technology studies; and hybrid sculptural practices and furniture design. Graduate-level seminars in design theory, history and criticism, design thinking, and advanced design research/writing support studio work, and seminars, studios, and teaching open students to all of the offerings of the graduate program in the School. Specific seminars/studios and advising are offered in conjunction with other design graduate students in interior architecture; design for emerging technologies; fashion, body, and garment; and visual communication. Additional studies in sustainable cultural futures/sustainment design and public practice are currently in the planning stage.

Students have access to a wide range of fabrication technologies and digital facilities from across the School, including wood, metal, ceramics, electronics, and kinetics shops.