Author(s)

Daijuan Yang

Corresponding Author

Daijuan Yang

Abstract

In the past, the essence of consumption was the relationship between people and objects. But in today's consumer society, it has become the symbolic interpersonal relationship established by objects, namely the symbolic consumption. Thus, symbolic design appears accordingly. Under this tendency of symbolic design, however, designers' social responsibility and the value of design are missing. Designers focus on making money in the ever changing environment, rather than serving clients who pursue for better life. Today, the value and significance of design should be re-examined and redefined, in order to revive the social responsibility of designers.

Keywords

Consumer society, Modernist design, Symbolic design, Social responsibility.