20th Century Design

Overview

This Unit provides an exploration of 20th and 21st century design history. The unit focuses on a range of key designers, innovations and movements across many areas of design. It explores aspects of the historical development of design as a creative, cultural and professional practice, while referencing the visual, material and spatial languages of design: graphics, products, interiors, environments, film and multimedia. Students will gain an understanding of the social, cultural, economic and political role of design, together with the interface of design with the arts, and more significantly with modern technology, materials, production/manufacturing, brand, sustainability and consumerism.

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Discuss ideas about design and society in large and small group situations
2. Identify historically significant designers, design movements, objects, theories, practices; their social, cultural, economic importance, and their implications for the 21st century
3. Critically analyse historical issues and present responses through a range of discursive modes
4. Critique key design concepts and developments, both historical and contemporary using a body of primary and secondary resources including online resources, objects and environments
5. Integrate theoretical and historical concepts in a manner that is relevant and applicable to design studio practice
6. Analyse critically and visually design objects, places and environments at local, national, and international levels

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

• Modernism/post-modernism/contemporary design
• Design as political and social action
• Design, technology, progress and change
• Design principles, theories and significant figures
• Design, ideas and cultural production
• Internationalism/regionalism/globalism