Since the early 20th century, design has evolved from being a decorative luxury for the wealthy into an accessible, everyday commodity, thanks to mass production. In this collection of readings, I have selected three articles that examine the critique of Art Nouveau’s ornamental approach, the impact of mass production on design, and a manifesto for shaping better designers.

I hope these readings provide valuable insights into the evolution of design, bridging perspectives from the past and present. Design and Crime: & Other Diatribes by Hal Foster delves into Adolf Loos' critique of Art Nouveau’s excessive ornamentation, highlighting early 20th-century debates about the functionality of design and its evolution since. Graphic Design’s Factory Settings by Jacob Lindgren critiques the outdated “factory settings” of design education and advocates for a system that equips designers to build a better society. Finally, The Concept of the Design Discipline by Paul Rogers and Craig Bremner critiques modern design’s submission to capitalism, offering a manifesto for rethinking design disciplines with caution and purpose.