73471 - History of Industrial Design T-II

Learning outcomes

Throughout the course, the students will develop a deep knowledge regarding the history of industrial design throughout the twentieth century. Students will also acquire the tools to critically read and analyse the most important events of the history of design worldwide. 

Course contents

The course retraces the history of industrial design throughout the twentieth century in Europe, United States and beyond. The history of industrial design will be explained within the framework of material culture, i.e. as the material culture of the Anthropocene, with a special focus on the interconnections with architecture, arts, politics, ecology and social issues.

Please keep in mind that this course is in Italian. Feel free to contact the teacher if you are an international exchange student and need more clarifications on the classes.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested textbook for English speakers:

Jonathan Woodham. Twentieth Century Design. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Anne Massey. Interior Design since 1900. London: Thames & Hudson, 2008.

Further readings: 

Beatriz Colomina, e Mark Wigley. Are We Human? Notes on an Archeology of Design. Zürich: Lars Müller Publishers, 2016

Adrian Forty. Objects of Desire. Design and Society since 1750. London: Thames & Hudson, 1987 (ristampa 2005).

Deyan Sudjic. The Language of Things. London: Penguin, 2009.

Further readings on specific topics will be provided by the teacher at the end of each lesson.

Teaching methods

Lectures (in person and online), seminars, on-site visits.

Assessment methods

An interview and a written paper. The details will be discussed during the course.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations, readings, on-site visits, seminars with experts, etc.

Office hours

See the website of Sofia Nannini