73456 - History of Industrial Design T-I

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student is familiar with the history of industrial design and, more generally, of the design culture linked to the production of objects, framed within the development of the history of contemporary architecture, over a chronological period that extends from the 19th century to the mid-20th century.

Course contents

The integrated course Industrial Design History and Aesthetics (12 CFU, 120 hours) consists of the History of Industrial Design T I course, which in turn consists of two modules (module 1, 3 CFU, 30 hours; module 2, 3 CFU, 30 hours) and the Aesthetics T course, which in turn consists of two modules (module 1, 3 CFU, 30 hours; module 2, 3 CFU, 30 hours).

The History of Industrial Design course specifically illustrates the reactions of architectural and artistic culture to the industrial revolution and the birth of the great city, framing the theme of the industrial object within this process.

Contents Module 1:

The industrial revolution and the everyday object

The Victorian age, from the Crystal Palace to Arts and Crafts

The beginnings of American design

Art Nouveau and Liberty in Europe

The Viennese Secession

The Avant-garde


Contents Module 2:

Telling by the hand: sign, writing and representation

Composition: typography and layout

Narration: the narrated object

Movement: vision of modernity and languages of the metropolis

Functioning: knowledge and interpretation of the object

Readings/Bibliography

Domitilla Dardi e Vanni Pasca, Manuale di Storia del Design, Silvana Editoriale, Milano 2019, cap. 1-3.

It should be noted that preparation of the above text is mandatory for the oral examination.

During the course, supporting texts from the following volumes will be indicated:

Tim Ingold, Making, Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano, 2019.

Tomás Maldonado, Disegno industriale: un riesame, Feltrinelli, Milano 1999 (I ed. 1976).

Maurizio Vitta, Il progetto della bellezza, Einaudi, Torino 2011.

Other materials will be pointed out during the lessons and will be an optional subject of study.

Teaching methods

The course, which aims to provide an introduction to the discipline, will be based on lectures accompanied by a rich iconographic apparatus and on the discussion of topics that will be illustrated by the teacher. The classroom exercises will also require the active participation of the students.

Assessment methods

The examination of the integrated course Industrial Product History and Aesthetics comprises a test of the learning of the contents of all the subjects and modules that make up the integrated course and takes place in a single examination.

Oral examination. The final examination consists of a discussion of the programme carried out in the classroom. The examination will focus on the topics covered in the lectures and on the texts in the programme. The single exam will consist of two separate interviews, one relating to the course in Industrial Product Aesthetics and one relating to the course in Industrial Product History. The grade will be the same and will refer to the Integrated Course of Industrial Product History and Aesthetics.

In order to sit the exam, students must obtain a positive assessment of the individual exercise developed in module 2 of History.
Any ex tempore exercises proposed during the course of the lectures will contribute to the final assessment.

Teaching tools

The specific bibliographies for the different parts of the course will be proposed during the various lessons, starting from the tools available in the texts indicated in the programme. The didactic material presented during the lessons will be made available to the student in pdf format on the digital platform Virtuale, according to the instructions that will be indicated in the first lesson.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Ascari