Clever Design in Critical Times: Conceptualizing the Callidocene

This edited volume identifies and establishes the idea of the Callidocene, which the authors position as an epoch that both includes and extends beyond the current conception of the Anthropocene. While the word ‘Anthropocene’ has become strongly associated with concerns over humanity’s impact on the planet, contributors turn instead to the Callidocene—intended to encompass human, machine, and system cleverness— to emphasize the hopeful and positive aspects of human influence on the world. Contributors posit that designers in particular have increasingly attempted to consider the impact of their work on society, culture, and the environment, and this book will contribute to this conversation through its analyses of a wide range of topics, including complexity in design, media toxicity, and community innovation in sustainability. Collectively, contributions to this volume highlight the potential of human cleverness to address - or even reverse- the damage we’ve inflicted on both ourselves and our planet. Scholars of sociology, environmental studies, cultural studies, media studies, and communication will find this book of particular interest.

Guilherme Meyer is a designer, educator and researcher.

Brianna I. Wiens is assistant professor in English language and literature at the University of Waterloo.

Teresa M. Dobson is director of the Master of Educational Technology Program and professor of language and literacy education at the University of British Columbia.

Shana MacDonald is associate professor in communication arts at the University of Waterloo.

Stan Ruecker is an international design research consultant.