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What Design Can’t Do: Essays on Design and Disillusion
Design is broken. Young and not-so-young designers are becoming increasingly aware of this. Many feel impotent: they were told they had the tools to make the world a better place, but instead the world takes its toll on them. Beyond a haze of hype and bold claims lies a barren land of self-doubt and impostor syndrome. Although these ‘feels� might be the Millennial norm, design culture reinforces them. In conferences we learn that “with great power comes great responsibility� but, when it comes to real-life clients, all they ask is to “make the logo bigger.�
This book probes the disillusionment that permeates design. It tackles the deskilling effects provoked by digital semi-automation, the instances of ornamental politics fashioned to please the museum-educational complex, the nebulous promises of design schools. While reviving historical expressions of disenchantment, Silvio Lorusso examines present-day memes and social media rants. To depict this disheartening crisis, he crafts a new critical vocabulary for readers to build upon. What this exposé reveals is both worrying and refreshing: rather than producing a meaningful order, design might be just about inhabiting chaos.
What was once a promising field rooted in problem-solving has become a problem in itself. The skill set of designers appears shaky and insubstantial � their expertise is received with indifference, their know-how is trivialised by online services, their work is compromised by a series of unruly external factors. If you see yourself as a designer without qualities; if you feel cheated, disappointed or betrayed by design, this book is for you.
This book probes the disillusionment that permeates design. It tackles the deskilling effects provoked by digital semi-automation, the instances of ornamental politics fashioned to please the museum-educational complex, the nebulous promises of design schools. While reviving historical expressions of disenchantment, Silvio Lorusso examines present-day memes and social media rants. To depict this disheartening crisis, he crafts a new critical vocabulary for readers to build upon. What this exposé reveals is both worrying and refreshing: rather than producing a meaningful order, design might be just about inhabiting chaos.
What was once a promising field rooted in problem-solving has become a problem in itself. The skill set of designers appears shaky and insubstantial � their expertise is received with indifference, their know-how is trivialised by online services, their work is compromised by a series of unruly external factors. If you see yourself as a designer without qualities; if you feel cheated, disappointed or betrayed by design, this book is for you.
352 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2023
127 people are currently reading
980 people want to read
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Silvio Lorusso
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 3, 2024
I was waiting for this book for sooo long. Silvio Lorusso's never ending twitter thread on design desilusion was a major ressource for my master thesis (I even kind of borrow on of his meme for the cover) and a companion through the last years of my design studies.
I'm quite happy that this book exist. It offers a deep review of the main issues design and designers are facing, especially around power and relationship with politics. More important, it's a exigeant book who dare to face the fact that design won't solve the problems, those from he's responsible and others, that it's non-stop pretending to solve. I'm usually having a hard time to explain this point of view to my fellow designer, probably because I sound really cynical and a bit harsh. I think this book is a really good tools to do so, probably in a more subtil way than me. An other quality is, as the conclusion of the book explain it, being critical without having to give a new guide to doing-a-better-political-design. Also, I loved the numerous memes scattered through the book.
I still have a few critics or questions about it, but I first want to say that it's like the second or third book i'm reading in english, I may have misunderstood or not fully understood everything.
I really like the point Lorusso made about workers union in design field that those "unioninsing calls" have barely any effect because unionising would be aknowledging that designers are just basic worker and not intellectual one. But I feel it would have been really interesting to explore a bit more the question of unionizing in the design field. It's still for me the more interesting way for designer to face desilusion and in France or UK we have several union exemples. It made you think yourself as worker, and so connecting with other workers with common interest even if they're not designers, and give you a space to redirect your political ambition in usefull and impactfull struggle, instead of just being cynical and desilusional.
My second main "critic" is about the school chapitre (the 7th I think). I think it miss a bit of structural analyse of how art and design school were built, what is their relationship with the other field in university (and why they think themselves so different from them) and how they're affected by the progressive liberalisation of universities, especially in Europe. It would have give a deeper understanding of how these school are rooted in a neo-liberal agenda. In the art and design student union that we launch in France it helps us a lot to explain our current situation. But maybe I'm too french and became too much of a communist.
Well, sorry for the english mistakes, and thanks a lot for this really important book, I hope it would reach at least a bit of the french design field.
I'm quite happy that this book exist. It offers a deep review of the main issues design and designers are facing, especially around power and relationship with politics. More important, it's a exigeant book who dare to face the fact that design won't solve the problems, those from he's responsible and others, that it's non-stop pretending to solve. I'm usually having a hard time to explain this point of view to my fellow designer, probably because I sound really cynical and a bit harsh. I think this book is a really good tools to do so, probably in a more subtil way than me. An other quality is, as the conclusion of the book explain it, being critical without having to give a new guide to doing-a-better-political-design. Also, I loved the numerous memes scattered through the book.
I still have a few critics or questions about it, but I first want to say that it's like the second or third book i'm reading in english, I may have misunderstood or not fully understood everything.
I really like the point Lorusso made about workers union in design field that those "unioninsing calls" have barely any effect because unionising would be aknowledging that designers are just basic worker and not intellectual one. But I feel it would have been really interesting to explore a bit more the question of unionizing in the design field. It's still for me the more interesting way for designer to face desilusion and in France or UK we have several union exemples. It made you think yourself as worker, and so connecting with other workers with common interest even if they're not designers, and give you a space to redirect your political ambition in usefull and impactfull struggle, instead of just being cynical and desilusional.
My second main "critic" is about the school chapitre (the 7th I think). I think it miss a bit of structural analyse of how art and design school were built, what is their relationship with the other field in university (and why they think themselves so different from them) and how they're affected by the progressive liberalisation of universities, especially in Europe. It would have give a deeper understanding of how these school are rooted in a neo-liberal agenda. In the art and design student union that we launch in France it helps us a lot to explain our current situation. But maybe I'm too french and became too much of a communist.
Well, sorry for the english mistakes, and thanks a lot for this really important book, I hope it would reach at least a bit of the french design field.
January 31, 2024
current praxis = shoving this book in all my tutors' faces and forcing them to read cuz what else is going to famous european design school for. actually cute that they burst out laughing at the memes too. pog
June 1, 2025
Whew it took me a year (break) to regain the courage to pick this book up again after initally discouraged by its fancy words and highly conceptual thinking. Glad to say I finished it, but this book was truly a journey that gave me a slew of conflicting thoughts.
Okay, first of all I really appreciate and applaud Lorusso’s efforts in writing extensively about design theory because it truly is not a simple topic to write about. I realized that I have bookmarked multiple pages of the book because they are truly thought provoking and are approaches to design thinking that have never occured to me, or something I want to remind myself over and over again as a designer. As Lorusso brought up in the last chapter, this book was not meant to answer questions and end in a chirpy optimistic note on the future of design and I’m so glad he mentioned this because it was starting to get somewhat depressing lol. I really enjoyed his discussions on the double-bind of design, critiques on design education, the role of designers in this day and age, as well as the consistent mentions of political design. I believe that Lorusso has brought up questions and concerns with these specific topics that are really really worth further discussion and pondering.
With that being said, I also have a few critiques in regards to my experience reading this book. Though it contained great points of deep contemplation, the unnecessarily difficulty of vocabulary that pervades the bulk of the book honestly made it such a grueling experience to get through it. Now I don’t think it’s the end of the world that a design theory book consisted of big words, but I did find it kind of ironic that a book meant to raise questions about design disillusionment was made so inaccessible to understand and grasp? For a designer (me)�.? I also understand that it’s not always easy or the best idea to write about these big ideas in simple terms, as well as the risk of oversimplifying these concepts, but I genuinely believe that so much of the writing felt pretentious and even unbearable at times. I also felt like sometimes in the act of generalizing or abstractly conceptualizing an issue, passages have somehow evaporated into something almost�..pointless? Even upon rereading paragraphs multiple times, nothing is really elucidated, and it also doesn’t help that there are almost never any elaboration or specific examples of what Lorusso is discussing.
I really do think chapters 1 & 7 as well as the last chapter were the best ones and chapters I really resonated with. I found it abit odd that for an industry that is so community based, there were seldom emphases on peer relationships, community, and network of designers in a more positive light? However I really appreciated his emphasis on political identity and how this aspect really seeps into every corner of design, how it’s inevitable, and how that informs our practices and works in design.
All in all, very mixed feelings, but undeniable that I have learned a lot and thought a lot from this book. Thank you Silvio <3
Okay, first of all I really appreciate and applaud Lorusso’s efforts in writing extensively about design theory because it truly is not a simple topic to write about. I realized that I have bookmarked multiple pages of the book because they are truly thought provoking and are approaches to design thinking that have never occured to me, or something I want to remind myself over and over again as a designer. As Lorusso brought up in the last chapter, this book was not meant to answer questions and end in a chirpy optimistic note on the future of design and I’m so glad he mentioned this because it was starting to get somewhat depressing lol. I really enjoyed his discussions on the double-bind of design, critiques on design education, the role of designers in this day and age, as well as the consistent mentions of political design. I believe that Lorusso has brought up questions and concerns with these specific topics that are really really worth further discussion and pondering.
With that being said, I also have a few critiques in regards to my experience reading this book. Though it contained great points of deep contemplation, the unnecessarily difficulty of vocabulary that pervades the bulk of the book honestly made it such a grueling experience to get through it. Now I don’t think it’s the end of the world that a design theory book consisted of big words, but I did find it kind of ironic that a book meant to raise questions about design disillusionment was made so inaccessible to understand and grasp? For a designer (me)�.? I also understand that it’s not always easy or the best idea to write about these big ideas in simple terms, as well as the risk of oversimplifying these concepts, but I genuinely believe that so much of the writing felt pretentious and even unbearable at times. I also felt like sometimes in the act of generalizing or abstractly conceptualizing an issue, passages have somehow evaporated into something almost�..pointless? Even upon rereading paragraphs multiple times, nothing is really elucidated, and it also doesn’t help that there are almost never any elaboration or specific examples of what Lorusso is discussing.
I really do think chapters 1 & 7 as well as the last chapter were the best ones and chapters I really resonated with. I found it abit odd that for an industry that is so community based, there were seldom emphases on peer relationships, community, and network of designers in a more positive light? However I really appreciated his emphasis on political identity and how this aspect really seeps into every corner of design, how it’s inevitable, and how that informs our practices and works in design.
All in all, very mixed feelings, but undeniable that I have learned a lot and thought a lot from this book. Thank you Silvio <3
February 5, 2025
I'm not sure how to review or rate this book. From a viewpoint of someone who has been apathetic to design as a profession, I was able to visualise the inner conflicts/struggles of an unprivileged design student/ professional.
This book made me understand the nuances of politics and autonomy associated with (any) profession better.
And how an educational institution can play a big part in disillusionment. In my opinion, I felt this to be the same issue faced by any student regardless of profession and to turn that by "progressively tearing the disciplinary veils to develop a realist understanding of what 'one' can do in the world."
There were some quotes that stuck with me and one such quote by Brad Troemel: "Raising awareness is ultimately the process of making people aware that you are of aware of the conversation that needs to be had."
And another one by Catherine Liu: "Members of the credentialised classes love to use the word empower when they talk about 'people', but the use of that word objectifies the recipients of their help while implying that the people have no access to power without them." And continued by Silvio: "Thus creating a distinction (at least symbolic), between the powerful and powerless."
It was a book which was easy to grasp even by someone without a background in design. An engaging and straightforward read with references cited accordingly which I would want to visit when I have the time to do so.
This book made me understand the nuances of politics and autonomy associated with (any) profession better.
And how an educational institution can play a big part in disillusionment. In my opinion, I felt this to be the same issue faced by any student regardless of profession and to turn that by "progressively tearing the disciplinary veils to develop a realist understanding of what 'one' can do in the world."
There were some quotes that stuck with me and one such quote by Brad Troemel: "Raising awareness is ultimately the process of making people aware that you are of aware of the conversation that needs to be had."
And another one by Catherine Liu: "Members of the credentialised classes love to use the word empower when they talk about 'people', but the use of that word objectifies the recipients of their help while implying that the people have no access to power without them." And continued by Silvio: "Thus creating a distinction (at least symbolic), between the powerful and powerless."
It was a book which was easy to grasp even by someone without a background in design. An engaging and straightforward read with references cited accordingly which I would want to visit when I have the time to do so.
December 18, 2023
In "What Design Can’t Do," Silvio Lorusso offers a thought-provoking critique of the modern design industry, expertly weaving together themes of disillusionment, the impact of capitalism, and the power dynamics within the field. The book resonates with personal reflections on the dichotomies and challenges faced by designers, like balancing creativity and corporate demands. Lorusso's insightful analysis, supported by the innovative use of memes and design's folklore, illuminates the contradictions in design practice and education. While the book heavily leans on critique, often echoing the gender imbalances in the industry, it opens up a much-needed space for introspection and debate about the future of design. "What Design Can’t Do" is an essential read for those in the design field, offering both a mirror to current realities and a lens through which to view potential futures.
February 9, 2025
Enjoyed it, but I feel like it could have been a lot less pretentious while still getting the point across. There was a couple of humorous remarks but I wouldn’t say it made me laugh (as one of the reviews at the beginning of the book suggests it will). It did make me think though.
April 15, 2025
It's hard to keep track of all the points and interconections employed by Lorusso to convey his narrative, and, ironically enough, that is exactly what he is trying to say in this book: that designers need to do and say a lot to in order to keep things as simple and straightfoward as possible. A paradox inherent to the praxis. Brilliantly exposed by the author, who conveniently chooses to remain pessimist at the conclusion, refusing to point an alternative. That's the directon of the cricticism we need to develop now: is a refusing designer still a designer?
January 13, 2025
Positively surprised. Timely thoughts on the disillusion around design. This could go into abstract thoughts on why everything is bad in general, and design in particular, but it did not, and instead analyzed the problems of design as a discipline, the various tried solutions to get out of these problems and why they (largely) failed. Relatively easy to read and with a lot of referenced works I want to look up.
August 19, 2024
One of those books I'd like all of my colleagues in design practice and design research to read, in particular the latter group, because they tend to be less in touch with the realities of contemporary design industry and as a result tend to be less aware of the various sources of disillusionment Lorusso traces here. A thought-provoking, and frequently painfully relatable argument, only occasionally let down by unnecessarily obtuse prose.
January 2, 2025
graphic design is my prison (im not joking)
October 31, 2024
thrilled to find a voice in design theory that speaks to and from my generation. witty, topical, and approachable :)
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May 19, 2025This book is a must-read for anyone in design. It feels like a reality check—especially for design students like me. Silvio Lorusso shows what design really is today: full of hope, stress, pressure, and contradictions. He asks hard questions: What is design? Who has power? Are we changing the world, or just part of the system?
The book is critical but never hopeless. It doesn’t try to make things look better than they are, but it also doesn’t feel negative. The humor, memes, and honest tone make you feel understood, not judged. It helps you see that you're not alone in your confusion or self-doubt.
Lorusso makes you think deeply about your role as a designer in a fast-changing world. While the book mostly talks about problems, it also opens space for reflection and maybe even quiet optimism. A bit more focus on the positive side of design could have been nice—but maybe that wasn’t the point of this book.
In the end, What Design Can’t Do helps you understand that design isn’t just about skills—it’s about identity, power, and survival. It won’t give you all the answers, but it will make you feel seen.
The book is critical but never hopeless. It doesn’t try to make things look better than they are, but it also doesn’t feel negative. The humor, memes, and honest tone make you feel understood, not judged. It helps you see that you're not alone in your confusion or self-doubt.
Lorusso makes you think deeply about your role as a designer in a fast-changing world. While the book mostly talks about problems, it also opens space for reflection and maybe even quiet optimism. A bit more focus on the positive side of design could have been nice—but maybe that wasn’t the point of this book.
In the end, What Design Can’t Do helps you understand that design isn’t just about skills—it’s about identity, power, and survival. It won’t give you all the answers, but it will make you feel seen.
November 8, 2024
der titel passt, denn alles ist ein bischen desillusionierend, ernüchternd. phasenweise sehr akademisch, anstrengend. der große mehrwert sind vor allem die referenzen, die man jetzt im anschluss durcharbeiten kann (u.a. papanek, bonsiepe, maldonado), auch entreprecariat wird jetzt bald bestellt. das buch selbst verliert im zeiten teil etwas an fahrt. der erste teil (everyday designer, everything is design, will ki replace designers). ob und wie andere richtungen (speculative design oder programme wie university of the underground) eine lösung sein sollen, kann ich mir noch nicht so richtig vorstellen. viel quatsch, kein geld.
August 25, 2024
Reviewed this book for Gonzo (circus) and the Sx. platform.
Design has become an empty shell, Silvio Lorusso argues, and he does so with a lot of humor and serious theoretical and practical observations.
Lorusso refers to the word design and the entire discipline. This creates a difficult situation: many designers feel responsible for improving the world, while they have to do so with resources arising from the status quo. These inevitably lead to the strengthening of the status quo. This contradiction receives far too little attention; Lurosso wants to say with ‘What Design Can’t Do� � a title that seems to reference the design conference What Design Can Do, which advocates great importance to design improving the world.
Design has become an empty shell, Silvio Lorusso argues, and he does so with a lot of humor and serious theoretical and practical observations.
Lorusso refers to the word design and the entire discipline. This creates a difficult situation: many designers feel responsible for improving the world, while they have to do so with resources arising from the status quo. These inevitably lead to the strengthening of the status quo. This contradiction receives far too little attention; Lurosso wants to say with ‘What Design Can’t Do� � a title that seems to reference the design conference What Design Can Do, which advocates great importance to design improving the world.
March 22, 2024
(4.5 stars. Review here: )
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June 4, 2024this was deeply compelling and mildly depressing. i enjoyed reading it RTC
December 26, 2024
love all the memes and the depth in this books
April 18, 2025
Well written but I’m so sad now
May 15, 2025
i enjoyed chapters 5, 7, and the epilogue
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