This paper attempts to explore the temporal dimension in inclusive design by addressing
concepts of collective memory and design heritage. This attempt seeks a certain
perspective of inclusive design that incorporates past and future generations and
exceeds temporal boundaries. Through a metaphoric use of Henry Dreyfuss’ anatomical
drawings of society’s average man and woman, Joe and Josephine, the paper
introduces the developing social emphasis on human factors in design decisions. In this
context, the collective memory is shown as an inspiring and insightful perspective from
which to employ social identities with a temporal background in inclusive design. Icons,
due to their cultural significance and durability, are shown as an efficient framework to
analyse heritage’s role in the embodiment of collective memory and its intergenerational
transmittance to social forms of identity.
The theoretical part is followed by the heritage management practices of the iconic
Finnish furniture design company Artek. Establishing a link between the notion of
product longevity and inclusive design, these case practices are presented as an
operational platform to present the paper’s main concern. According to this, placing
inclusive design in a broad temporal context leads to the emergence of unprecedented
interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological enhancement of inclusive design.
Include Asia 2013: Global Challenges and Local Solutions in Inclusive Design, Hong Kong
concepts of collective memory and design heritage. This attempt seeks a certain
perspective of inclusive design that incorporates past and future generations and
exceeds temporal boundaries. Through a metaphoric use of Henry Dreyfuss’ anatomical
drawings of society’s average man and woman, Joe and Josephine, the paper
introduces the developing social emphasis on human factors in design decisions. In this
context, the collective memory is shown as an inspiring and insightful perspective from
which to employ social identities with a temporal background in inclusive design. Icons,
due to their cultural significance and durability, are shown as an efficient framework to
analyse heritage’s role in the embodiment of collective memory and its intergenerational
transmittance to social forms of identity.
The theoretical part is followed by the heritage management practices of the iconic
Finnish furniture design company Artek. Establishing a link between the notion of
product longevity and inclusive design, these case practices are presented as an
operational platform to present the paper’s main concern. According to this, placing
inclusive design in a broad temporal context leads to the emergence of unprecedented
interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological enhancement of inclusive design.
Include Asia 2013: Global Challenges and Local Solutions in Inclusive Design, Hong Kong
