An exploration of the challenges of preserving design objects in contemporary museum practice, where objects ranging from prototypes to digital media present new problems for conservators.
Aimed at collections professionals and design enthusiasts alike, the authors follow the object's lifespan from prototype to mass production, and ultimately to display or research collections. Through case studies and contributions from conservators, designers, educators, and curators, the book examines the participatory nature of conserving design, the particular demands of interactive and digital media, and the persistent problem of technological obsolescence.
From coffee pots to mobile apps, the chapters reveal how objects are effectively re-designed for a new user: the museum visitor. Drawing on professional practice and scholarship from fields including anthropology, sociology, and Science and Technology Studies, the contributions establish an interdisciplinary perspective on the conservation of design collections.