A Theoretical Model of Meaning-making in Design Appreciation and Its Implications

The purpose of the study is to review a series of factors conceived of as social, cultural and political interventions in design appreciation by the design profession (as pointed out by the author's 'theoretical model of the design professional's meaning-making') (Sohn, 2009a, 2009b) and re-examines the theoretical considerations to apply the model into design related practices such as design education, design curating, etc. In particular, this study addresses the usefulness of the model for the conceptual meaning-making framework by discussing the dilemma of choosing between an interaction-theoretical approach and a power-theoretical approach, then re-conceptualizes meaning-making as a negotiated performance that emerges through interactions between six keystones; 'self-identity', 'interactions', 'ritual', 'habitus', 'social practice' and 'symbolic power'. To make the model more feasible in design practice, this study proposes implications of the model in various contexts by showing how the model can contribute to developments of design scholarship and curatorial practice which especially recognizes the collaboration between specialized museums, their specialist visitors and the creative industries. Finally, the perspective taken in this study provides insights on a design museum discourse for a new age in order to incorporate the design professions' real needs into the museum's missions and goals socially and actively.