Abstract

This contribution moves from the definition of design put forward by Kees Overbeeke (2007) to discuss the social dimensions of design. In the first part, social aspects in design (such as the intimacy relationship with the client) will be described, by focusing on the work of the artisan, intended as a profession in many ways very similar to that of a designer. In the second part, the social dimensions of body and action, which play fundamental roles in knowledge acquisition and use, are discussed by briefly illustrating the embodiment approach, seen as a main asset in building a design theory. In its third part, the contribution will focus on discussing how one can teach design, i.e., on how the student-teacher didactic relationship is currently taking place, thus bringing attention to another social dimension of design.