Research On The Value Of Design In Consumption Society

The non-autonomy of design determines the necessity and significance of that design should be researched as a part of cultural research. This thesis is based on consumption society, cultural research, and value philosophy.In the first part, it discourses on the theory source, the academic definition and realistic traits of consumption society. Then, it discusses the character of consumption culture, process and result of consumption society.Abundance in material and massive consuming in commodity are the fundamental phenomenon in consumption society. Consumption is not only an economic behavior but the essential part of ordinary life, so much as the manner to represent ego existence. Meanwhile, consumption transfers the emphases from the commodity to the design and symbol of the things imply. On the other hand, the object which be consumed is not the general one, but is the sign that is formulated by the design activity. In shortly, design is the main impetus and source to the enrichment of commodity and its meaning.In the second part, this essay gives some words on the contemporary traits of design in consumption society. On the beginning, it explains the general design and its propriety. Then, it discusses the Consume as an academic notion, and differentiates the consuming in daily life between the consuming as show. In the end, the relationship between design and consumption, as well as the specialties of design which is influenced by consumption culture are deserved much attention.There is the composite market which is full of consumptive culture and visual culture. Image-first, form follows dream, supernormal design, multiple styles, multilayer design, and symbolizing design are the fresh traits of design. Design must be sales promotion if it can handle complete elements in the commercial object as a whole; good form in good design definitely with the meaning which can offer hope, dream and sweet memory; when facing the enormous clients, there exist a various needs which also needs various design. As consequence, the content of design is not the function but the meaning and symbols. In the last part, it interprets the connection of consumption, value and design. Consume in design, in reality is in the value of things. The meaning is the real substance in consumption and design which is the most valuable. Then, it stresses on the issue of design value and its attributes, the comparison of some research methods, and analysis on design value. At last, it dissertate several forms of design value, such as social value, cultural value, functional value, economic value, aesthetic value, ethical value and environmental value. Moreover, there is another issue that deserves extra words here. This kind of division in value is not the only way, neither the settled one. They are just helpful to understand the problems of design value more clearly.