A Lexicon for Design

By Rachel Delphia

An alphabetized index of more than 50 fresh terms for thinking with and through design objects as contributed by leading design scholars, critics and practitioners

A fresh take on evaluating everyday objects at home or in museums, this experimental publication from Carnegie Museum of Art explores how language can shape and expand contemporary discourse around design, decorative arts and craft collections. Following the cultural upheavals of the Covid-19 era, curators of the museum's Decorative Arts and Design department invited a cohort of leading academics, designers, educators and critics to respond to the question, "What is the language we need now to reconsider design objects?" This ambitious book compiles their answers, comprising 50 essays authored by nearly as many contributors from multiple disciplines--pulling from each response a key term that is indexed and organized alphabetically. From Ableism to Emotion, Harm to Loved, Remixed to Symmetry, the publication puts forward multiple points of entry and inquiry that spark new meaning for design fans and general museum visitors alike. Lushly illustrated with 200 plates from the museum's renowned design collection, A Lexicon for Design offers a thrilling visual and linguistic survey.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0880390751
• ISBN13: 9780880390750
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Carnegie Museum of Art
• Length: 520 Pages