From Theory of Design to Theory for Design

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dc.abstract.enThis paper proposes a theory for design as an alternative to constructing a universal theory of design. Design is presented not as an abstract construct but as a pragmatic process of problem-solving, transforming existing situations into preferred ones through communicative offers—artefacts, systems, and practices that orient humans within their social and environmental contexts. Grounded in constructivist epistemology (Maturana, Varela, von Foerster, von Glasersfeld), the argument treats cognition as an individual, non-transferable process of meaning-making, while communication provides the mechanism linking these cognitive worlds. Following Luhmann and Fleischer, communication is seen as self-reproducing, generating society as a system of repeated and connectable interactions. Design thus appears as a communicative practice: stimulating cognition, offering products for meaning negotiation, and shaping social reproduction. Examples such as the redesign of signage in transport hubs show that design extends beyond artefacts, initiating processes of adaptation, critique, and meaning reproduction. Every design is ultimately a design of communication, raising strategic questions of what, how, to whom, and when to communicate. The paper argues that “effective communication” is an operative fiction: useful for practice yet impossible to guarantee. Accordingly, design cannot directly steer social change but creates conditions for awareness and collective negotiation of meanings. A theory for design provides a neutral, knowledge-based framework for intentional, communication-oriented practices, placing the human being and their environment at the center.
dc.affiliationWydział Prawa i Komunikacji Społecznej we Wrocławiu
dc.affiliationInstytut Projektowania
dc.conferenceI. International art and design symposium: Culture, Art and Design in the Near Future
dc.conference.countryTurcja
dc.conference.coverageinternational
dc.conference.datefinish2025-12-06
dc.conference.datestart2025-12-05
dc.conference.placeAralık
dc.conference.seriesI. International art and design symposium: Culture, Art and Design in the Near Future
dc.conference.seriesshortcutCulture, Art and Design in the Near Future
dc.conference.seriesweblinkhttps://gsf.yeditepe.edu.tr/en/art-design-symposium
dc.conference.shortcutCulture, Art and Design in the Near Future
dc.conference.weblinkhttps://gsf.yeditepe.edu.tr/en/art-design-symposium
dc.contributor.authorWszołek, Mariusz
dc.contributor.editorKaya, Gülveli
dc.contributor.editorErgen, Burcu Ayan
dc.contributor.editorKarapınar, Demet
dc.contributor.editorOnat, Cem
dc.date.accessioned2026-03-11T11:30:59Z
dc.date.available2026-03-11T11:30:59Z
dc.date.created2026-03-04
dc.date.issued2026-03-04
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.physical34-42
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.identifier.isbn978-975-307-170-3
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2213
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationsztuki plastyczne i konserwacja dzieł sztuki
dc.pbn.affiliationnauki o komunikacji społecznej i mediach
dc.publisherYeditepe University Press
dc.publisher.ministerialYeditepe University Press
dc.relation.bookYeditepe University Faculty of Fine Arts 1st International Symposium on Art and Design: Culture, Art And Design in The Near Future
dc.relation.pages333
dc.rights.questionNo_rights
dc.subject.enDesign theory
dc.subject.enCommunication Design
dc.subject.enTheory for design
dc.subject.enDesign studies
dc.subject.enDesign doctrines
dc.subject.enCommunication science
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleFrom Theory of Design to Theory for Design
dc.typeMonographyChapterConference
dspace.entity.typeBook