Design act

Book excerpt: How do contemporary design practices engage with political and societal issues? Can design realize ideas that lead to significant change? Where would the change happen: in the design studio, on the factory floor, in exhibition settings or on the street? Some of the design world's greatest practitioners, including architects, came together for a multi-faceted, three-year project sponsored by Iaspis. This book, the project's culmination, comprises texts, interviews, drawings and other artwork in three sections: WHAT brings together contemporary and historical writings; HOW analyzes common issues and emerging tactics within socially and politically engaged design; and WHERE offers a broad perspective on new forms of design practice. Featuring facsimiles of 36 projects from the Design Act archive, this rich book is a must-have for designers who care about their role in the wider world.