Design Research Society DRS Digital Library DRS Biennial Conference Series DRS2002 - Common Ground Sep 5th, 12:00 AM Design, words and history A. Tomes Sheffield Hallam University, UK P. Armstrong Keele University, UK Follow this and additional works at: https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers Citation Tomes, A., and Armstrong, P. (2002) Design, words and history, in Durling, D. and Shackleton, J. (eds.), Common Ground - DRS International Conference 2002, 5-7 September, London, United Kingdom. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2002/researchpapers/80 This Research Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the Conference Proceedings at DRS Digital Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in DRS Biennial Conference Series by an authorized administrator of DRS Digital Library. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Design, words and history A. Tomes Sheffield Hallam University, UK P. Armstrong Keele University, UK Abstract Every dominant movement in art has depended upon the development of an accompanying critical discourse. Using the writings of design critics and design journalists, this paper suggests that there are similar, albeit under-developed, discursive dimensions to the reception of innovative design. Critics, advertisers and commentators offer vocabularies of appreciation analogous to the critical discourses of artistic avant-gardes. These suggest the manner in which a design should be used or experienced, the nature of experiences that should follow and the discontents with earlier forms that inspired it. A major implication is that the lukewarm enthusiasm of the UK public for good design is unlikely to be overcome simply by exposure to it.