The Social Design Reader - by Elizabeth Resnick (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Social Design Reader explores the ways in which design can be a catalyst for social change. Bringing together key texts of the last fifty years, editor Elizabeth Resnick traces the emergence of the notion of socially responsible design. This volume represents the authentic voices of the thinkers, writers and designers who are helping to build a 'canon' of informed literature which documents the development of the discipline.

The Social Design Reader is divided into three parts. Section 1: Making a Stand includes an introduction to the term 'social design' and features papers which explore its historical underpinnings. Section 2: Creating the Future documents the emergence of social design as a concept, as a nascent field of study, and subsequently as a rapidly developing professional discipline, and Section 3: A Sea Change is made up of papers acknowledging social design as a firmly established practice.

Contextualising section introductions are provided to aid readers in understanding the original source material, while summary boxes clearly articulate how each text fits with the larger milieu of social design theory, methods, and practice.

Review Quotes

In times when some of the founding values of our society seem in crisis, it is urgent to question the social responsibility of designers. This collection of essays on social design, edited by Elizabeth Resnick, is a good starting point for every designer who sees in their practice a chance to promote social innovation.
Gianni Sinni, Deputy Director of the Design MA at the University of the Republic of San Marino

One of the most compelling design compendiums to emerge since the Looking Closer series! Resnick's selection of essays, both historical and contemporary, offers astute and critical discussions about the transformative potential of socially responsible design. This timely book makes for essential reading for design scholars and practitioners alike.
Fatima Cassim, Co-Editor of Image and Text journal, South Africa

This is a powerful and timely survey of the social design territory and its evolution in the past few decades. Resnick provides an insightful overview of the ways in which design is addressing some of the most pressing issues facing us in the 21st century. Essential reading.
Terry Irwin, Head of the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University, USA

About the Author

Elizabeth Resnick is Professor Emerita of Graphic Design at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, USA.