Product Communication, Form, Failure and Safety

Abstract

Although the term 'culture' has become a subject of much recent discussion in design, much is due to the promotion and spread of global marketing. But little understanding of its meaning and design implications has, as yet, been explored. This paper examines E.T. Hall's classic theory of culture as communication in an effort to introduce cultural theory to current design thought and to examine its role in the development and analysis of design form, as well as design failure with unintended safety consequences. Illustrated examples of conflicting, confusing or otherwise failed product and graphic design are analyzed to identify hidden, often unlikely, causes and safety hazards. Hall's Triad Theory of Change and Primary Message Systems are used to help explain the context from which such failures can be further analyzed for discussion and study.