Communication Theory: Service as Care
1/ Design Through the Lens of Communication Theory
Communication theory offers a valuable lens for understanding how design functions as a communicative practice rather than merely a matter of aesthetics or form. In the field of design, everything can be seen as a message encoded by a designer and decoded by users, clients, or broader publics within specific social and cultural contexts. This process involves both verbal symbols, non‑verbal symbols, continuous feedback and so on.
/ Design is an ongoing, systemic exchange of meaning /
Design operates at the intersection of several communication traditions, including socio‑cultural, semiotic, and rhetorical approaches. Designers use color, typography, composition, interaction patterns, and narratives to help define what is perceived as intuitive, trustworthy, or innovative. Signs and visual codes in design construct shared meanings that are then embedded in cultural practices and power relations.
Communication theory also underscores the audience‑oriented nature of design. Concepts such as encoding/decoding, context, and feedback translate directly into design research and responses shape subsequent design decisions. In this sense, effective design can be understood as a form of negotiated meaning‑making: designers anticipate interpretive frames, manage potential «noise» in visual or interaction systems, and strategically choose channels to support clarity, persuasion, and engagement.
Finally, critical and interpretive strands of communication theory invite designers to reflect on the ethical and political implications of their work. Design choices not only solve functional problems but also frame identities, normalize behaviors, and distribute visibility or invisibility among different groups. By drawing on communication theory, design practice can move beyond surface‑level problem solving toward a more reflexive and responsible engagement with how designed messages shape contemporary social life.
2/ Presentation for a general audience
объяснить, рассказать о сообщении, опираясь на теорию коммуникации из курса. Что это за проект, для кого, какие задачи ставит, какие у него ценности
3/ Presentation for a professional audience
то, что интересно другим дизайнерам, детали
4/ Communication theory as basis for the presentations
какую из частей теории коммуникации выбрали, на что опирались и как подружили ее с практикой
5/ Источники:
«Communication Theory: Bridging Academia and Practice» online-course
«Veles» // Portfolio HSE // URL: https://portfolio.hse.ru/Project/178101 (Дата обращения: 13.12.2025)
