A Conceptual Shift in Historiography of Industrial Design: From History of Design to Design History

Document Type : Research/Original/Reqular Article

Author

Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Design, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22059/jihs.2026.411280.371880

Abstract

Problem Statement: Throughout the twentieth century, industrial design historiography was largely consolidated within the traditions of art and architectural history. Relying on a linear, style-oriented, and designer-centered narrative, this approach positioned European experiences as a dominant and universal account of design history. However, theoretical developments since the late twentieth century—particularly the expansion of globalization, advances in communication technologies, and the entry of cultural and postcolonial perspectives—have prompted critical reconsiderations of this dominant framework and underscored the need to reassess the foundations of design historiography.

Research Objective: This article aims to explicate and analyze the conceptual transition from the “History of Design” approach to “Design History Studies” from a historiographical perspective, and to clarify the theoretical dimensions and implications of this paradigmatic shift for the contemporary understanding of industrial design history.

Methodology: The study adopts a qualitative approach based on a comparative–analytical review of the theoretical literature. Key works by major design historians and theorists representing the two approaches were purposively selected and examined through conceptual and comparative analysis.

Findings: The results indicate that contemporary design historiography has moved away from a descriptive, linear, and pedagogically oriented narrative toward an analytical, critical, and multi-vocal approach. Within this emerging framework, design is interpreted not merely as the outcome of individual genius but in relation to broader socio-cultural contexts and concepts such as culture, power, identity, and consumption.

Conclusion: The conceptual shift toward Design History Studies opens new horizons for contextualized and non-Western readings of industrial design history. This transformation provides a theoretical foundation for reinterpreting local experiences and strengthening design sub-narratives, including those related to Iranian industrial design.

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References

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Journal for the History of Science
Volume 24, Issue 1
September 2026
Pages 35-64

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