Digital Design Theory: Readings from the Field

by Helen Armstrong (Editor)

Digital Design Theory bridges the gap between the discourse of print design and interactive experience by examining the impact of computation on the field of design. As graphic design moves from the creation of closed, static objects to the development of open, interactive frameworks, designers seek to understand their own rapidly shifting profession. Helen Armstrong's carefully curated introduction to groundbreaking primary texts, from the 1960s to the present, provides the background necessary for an understanding of digital design vocabulary and thought.

Accessible essays from designers and programmers are by influential figures such as Ladislav Sutnar, Bruno Munari, Wim Crouwel, Sol LeWitt, Muriel Cooper, Zuzana Licko, Rudy VanderLans, John Maeda, Paola Antonelli, Luna Maurer, and Keetra Dean Dixon. Their topics range from graphic design's fascination with programmatic design, to early strivings for an authentic digital aesthetic, to the move from object-based design and to experience-based design. Accompanying commentary assesses the relevance of each excerpt to the working and intellectual life of designers.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Helen Armstrong, a Professor of Graphic Design at North Carolina State University, focuses her research on accessible design, digital rights, and machine learning. Armstrong authored Graphic Design Theory: Readings from the Field, Digital Design Theory: Readings from the Field and coauthored Participate: Designing with User-Generated Content. She is a past member of the AIGA National Board of Directors, the editorial board of Design and Culture, and a former co-chair of the AIGA Design Educators Community. Armstrong is the proud mom of a kid with disabilities and a fierce advocate for designing inclusive, intelligent, interfaces and experiences.

Currently, Armstrong is combining her knowledge of participatory practice with computational thinking to explore the potential of intelligent interfaces (i.e. machine learning) to address the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Reviews

[Anna Sorokina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prophet-led, idiosyncratic finale has been replaced by an amalgamation of elements, factors, and users, making up the evolving, conditional being we call design. We have to be nimble to survive in its complex world.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool stuff.

[Janis Godins · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Designing is not a profession but an attitude." /Lázló Moholy-Nagy/

[Carlos Mueses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outside of my area of expertise but I loved this book.