The Commodity of Trade in Contemporary Design

Abstract

This research explores the intersection between the design industry and the ubiquitous media and events industry, focusing on the context of design characterized by limited editions and one-off artefacts. The increasingly growing manifestation of this type of design in the media -and the media in design -has an impact on the way certain designers conceive and practice their profession, and on the design industry as a whole. The aim of this PhD is to provide an understanding of such impact. In doing so, this thesis answers the main question: What commodities (intended as the ensemble of goods, values, competencies and services) are traded in the contemporary design industry and by whom?As a result, this research expands the notion of the design process beyond the artefact, highlighting the role that its representation in the media and events has in the process. the audience and the level of status; it is quantity and quality at the same time. To express this besides visibility.In fact, reputation and visibility emerge as central commodities for trade. As visibility and reputation are the fuel that feeds the contemporary design industry, then the power of the witnesses the way actors conventionally belonging to the media industry are now able to commission new content to feature in their publications and events and monetize from this. The thesis concludes with the observation that some designers are also starting to monetize from their presence in exhibitions, by demanding loan and participation fees. Conclusively, this thesis critically highlights the need to reconsider the roles of each actor involved in the design industry according to the trade of such immaterial commodities.