Title: Monolithic vs. polylithic design cultures? Designers' accounts of professional practices in Sweden and New Zealand

Authors: Despina Christoforidou; Gudbjörg Erlingsdóttir; Anders Warell

Addresses: Division of Industrial Design, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden ' Division of Occupational Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden ' Division of Product Development, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden

Abstract: This comparative study explores breaches to unveil potential blindspots within the social constructs surrounding design practice in Sweden and New Zealand. In-depth interviews with designers in both countries, revealed similarities and differences. The underlying norms and values suggest that the two countries share a similar value-base in relation to the design profession. Designers from both countries described the niche they occupy in terms of what could be called 'in-betweenness'. There are also subtle differences in how designers relate to their professional roles. While designers in New Zealand identify as bricoleurs, designers in Sweden compare themselves to engineers. Furthermore, Sweden appears to be a somewhat monolithic context compared to New Zealand, which seems more polylithic. The proposed approach enables a deeper understanding of potential blindspots in the design field, and the surrounding social construct. Implementing breaches as a lens can be valuable in questioning established truths, and ultimately instigating change.

Keywords: monolithic design contexts; polylithic design contexts; blindspots; breaches; breachers; in-betweenness; in-betweeners; norms; values; designer accounts; design practice.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2021.121062

Journal of Design Research, 2021 Vol.19 No.1/2/3, pp.7 - 30

Accepted: 03 Mar 2021
Published online: 23 Feb 2022 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article