Teach Your Children Well: (How and) Why Design Anthropology Speaks to Our Students

Authors

  • Lisa DiCarlo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22439/jba.v7i2.5606

Keywords:

Teaching, design anthropology

Abstract

This paper explores design anthropology as a topic of study among university students.  After establishing a working definition of design anthropology, I will use a case study from class to illustrate several aspects of the discipline that appeal to students: holism in research, understanding before action, and stakeholder engagement. I conclude with a discussion of the importance of informed intervention as an appealing outcome for students.

References

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Crouch, Christopher, and Jane Pearce. (2013). Doing Research in Design. Oxford: Berg.

Di Carlo, L., H. McGowan and S. Rottenberg et al. (2014). “Anthropology in a Design, Engineering and Commerce Curriculum” in Handbook of Anthropology in Business, 247-265. New York: Routledge.

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Hanson, Natalie. (2016). Design Anthropology: Discovery and Evidence of Emerging Pathways in Anthropology. Retrieved from https://nataliehanson.com/2016/11/18/aaa16-design-anthro/.

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Pearson, Charles. (2015). “What Does an Ethnographer Do?” (Diagram) Retrieved from https://medium.com/startup-study-group/my-two-years-as-an- anthropologist-on-the-photoshop-team-e700acb7d3d5.

Prestero, T. (2012). Timothy Prestero: Design for people, not awards. [Video file.] Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/timothy_prestero_design_for_people_not_awards.

Squires, Susan and B. Byrne, eds. (2002). Creating Breakthrough Ideas: Anthropologists and Designers in the Product Development Industry. Bergin and Garvey.

Suchman, Lucy. (2011). “Anthropological Limitations and the Relocation of Design.” Annual Review of Anthropology 40: 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.anthro.041608.105640

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Published

2018-11-12

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Articles

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