Ideologically-embedded design

Abstract

In this paper we defend the position that design projects are not only socially embedded, but also ideologically-embedded, as far as the designers or other stakeholders consider necessary to take into account the insertion and future position of the artefact in its societal and cultural environment. This is illustrated by examples from studies of design of artefacts in three cases: (i) Wikipedia articles, (ii) production and use of local governments’ open data, and (iii) co-design of social artefacts such as participatory housing. We conclude with some implications on the design process.