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'The industrialized designer'

Gender, identity and professionalization in Britain and the United States, 1930-80
Brief Description
The industrialized designer explores what it means to be called an industrial designer, tracing the remarkable rise of this professional identity from a position of anonymity in the early twentieth century, through mid-century professionalisation, to its decline and disintegration by 1980. Drawing on extensive, original archival... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$12000

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Drawing on original archival research, this book makes a critical, historical examination of the professionalisation of industrial design in Britain and the United States, 1930-80, a 'new profession', invented in the early twentieth century.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The industrialized designer explores what it means to be called an industrial designer, tracing the remarkable rise of this professional identity from a position of anonymity in the early twentieth century, through mid-century professionalisation, to its decline and disintegration by 1980.

Drawing on extensive, original archival research, this book uncovers the history of a profession in a state of re-invention from 1930 to 1980 in Britain and the United States. It challenges assumptions about the relationship between the professions in these two countries, bringing them into a comparative historical perspective for the first time.

The gendered dynamics of professionalisation and their interaction with the representation of the heroic male designer are examined critically. By building on new gender perspectives regarding the history of the industrial design profession, the book advocates for a re-examination of the limits and boundaries that define professional identity and work.

Series: Studies in Design and Material Culture

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  • 'The industrialized designer'
    The industrialized designer explores what it means to be called an industrial designer, tracing the remarkable rise of this professional identity from a position of anonymity in the early twentieth century, through mid-century professionalisation, to its decline and disintegration by 1980. Drawing on extensive, original archival research, this book uncovers the history of a profession in a state of re-invention...
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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526198167

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 June 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Manchester University Press

Illustration: 8 colour illustrations, 22 black and white illustrations, and 1 table

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 170.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 530g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Leah Armstrong is FWF Elise Richter Senior Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the department of Design History and Theory at the University of Applied Arts Vienna

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