About the book
An argument for a design philosophy of better, not more.
Never have we wanted, owned, and wasted so much stuff. Our consumptive path through modern life leaves a wake of social and ecological destruction--sneakers worn only once, bicycles barely even ridden, and forgotten smartphones languishing in drawers. By what perverse alchemy do our newest, coolest things so readily transform into meaningless junk? In Meaningful Stuff, Jonathan Chapman investigates why we throw away things that still work, and shows how we can design products, services, and systems that last.
Obsolescence is an economically driven design decision--a plan to hasten a product's functional or psychological undesirability. Many electronic devices, for example, are intentionally impossible to dismantle for repair or recycling, their brief use-career proceeding inexorably to a landfill. A sustainable design specialist who serves as a consultant to global businesses and governmental organizations, Chapman calls for the decoupling of economic activity from mindless material consumption and shows how to do it.
Chapman shares his vision for an \"experience heavy, material light\" design sensibility. This vital and timely new design philosophy reveals how meaning emerges from designed encounters between people and things, explores ways to increase the quality and longevity of our relationships with objects and the systems behind them, and ultimately demonstrates why design can--and must--lead the transition to a sustainable future.
Editions of Meaningful Stuff
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780262045728
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262363792
Read an Excerpt
An argument for a design philosophy of better, not more.
Never have we wanted, owned, and wasted so much stuff. Our consumptive path through modern life leaves a wake of social and ecological destruction--sneakers worn only once, bicycles barely even ridden, and forgotten smartphones languishing in drawers. By what perverse alchemy do our newest, coolest things so readily transform into meaningless junk? In Meaningful Stuff, Jonathan Chapman investigates why we throw away things that still work, and shows how we can design products, services, and systems that last.
Obsolescence is an economically driven design decision--a plan to hasten a product's functional or psychological undesirability. Many electronic devices, for example, are intentionally impossible to dismantle for repair or recycling, their brief use-career proceeding inexorably to a landfill. A sustainable design specialist who serves as a consultant to global businesses and governmental organizations, Chapman calls for the decoupling of economic activity from mindless material consumption and shows how to do it.
Chapman shares his vision for an \"experience heavy, material light\" design sensibility. This vital and timely new design philosophy reveals how meaning emerges from designed encounters between people and things, explores ways to increase the quality and longevity of our relationships with objects and the systems behind them, and ultimately demonstrates why design can--and must--lead the transition to a sustainable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meaningful Stuff about?
An argument for a design philosophy of better, not more.
Never have we wanted, owned, and wasted so much stuff. Our consumptive path through modern life leaves a wake of social and ecological destruction--sneakers worn only once, bicycles barely even ridden, and forgotten smartphones languishing in drawers. By what perverse alchemy do our newest, coolest things so readily transform into meaningless junk? In Meaningful Stuff, Jonathan Chapman investigates why we throw away things that still work, and shows how we can design products, services, and systems that last.
Obsolescence is an economically driven design decision--a plan to hasten a product's functional or psychological undesirability. Many electronic devices, for example, are intentionally impossible to dismantle for repair or recycling, their brief use-career proceeding inexorably to a landfill. A sustainable design specialist who serves as a consultant to global businesses and governmental organizations, Chapman calls for the decoupling of economic activity from mindless material consumption and shows how to do it.
Chapman shares his vision for an \"experience heavy, material light\" design sensibility. This vital and timely new design philosophy reveals how meaning emerges from designed encounters between people and things, explores ways to increase the quality and longevity of our relationships with objects and the systems behind them, and ultimately demonstrates why design can--and must--lead the transition to a sustainable future.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Meaningful Stuff?
The Arts > Design, Industrial and commercial arts, illustration > History of design
Where can I read a sample of Meaningful Stuff?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262045728
Is Meaningful Stuff part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Design Thinking, Design Theory
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Meaningful Stuff?
Jonathan Chapman
Who is the Publisher of the book Meaningful Stuff?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Meaningful Stuff is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780262045728) and ebook(ISBN 9780262363792)
Where can I buy Meaningful Stuff online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Meaningful Stuff from below
Where can I buy Meaningful Stuff?