‘Design for the Real World’, Epistemic Shift in Design Thinking Taking Shape in the 1970s

Abstract

This review explores the paradigm shift of social problems from Victor Papanek’s point of view, related to needs of users to drive design innovation strategies. Papanek here is a designer who advocates a sensitive approach towards social and ecological considerations in design philosophy in the mid-twentieth century. This text shall explores epistemic shift in design thinking and critically analyze midcentury design discourses through the lens of contemporary challenges. His critique is an attempt towards beginning of a conflict between ‘Design Anthropology’ versus ‘System Design’. It creates a dialogue of bringing objects into practice, as them being able to reflect upon the self-realization to the design problems. It shall also highlight the Ethnographic approach in design to generate ideas for solving the practical problems of people.