Short answer

Recognize that design interventions, whether intentional or not, can operate within broader power structures, influencing and being influenced by societal norms and individual agency.

Field: Classic Design
Source: Bilkent University Institutional Repository (Bilkent University) (2011)
Method: Theoretical analysis and case study examination
Evidence: Moderate effect

Dominant powers can reshape societal norms and individual identities through a combination of forceful imposition and subtle persuasion, a process akin to a comprehensive design strategy. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2011 study published in Bilkent University Institutional Repository (Bilkent University). Using Theoretical analysis and case study examination, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Recognize that design interventions, whether intentional or not, can operate within broader power structures, influencing and being influenced by societal norms and individual agency.

Study

Classic DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Hegemonic Design: Shaping Subjects Through Coercion and Consent

Dominant powers can reshape societal norms and individual identities through a combination of forceful imposition and subtle persuasion, a process akin to a comprehensive design strategy.

Bilkent University Institutional Repository (Bilkent University) · 2011

Key Findings

01Hegemonic projects utilize both coercive and consensual means to achieve their aims.
02Subordinate groups exhibit a range of survival strategies beyond simple resistance or submission.
03Globalization and the adoption of Western norms can be a strategy for subaltern groups to navigate hegemonic pressures.

Application

Design takeaway

Recognize that design interventions, whether intentional or not, can operate within broader power structures, influencing and being influenced by societal norms and individual agency.

How to apply

When analyzing a design brief or a user group, consider the existing power dynamics and how the proposed design might reinforce or challenge them.

Project actions

01When researching user needs, look beyond stated preferences to understand underlying motivations and potential constraints.
02Consider the broader societal or political context in which your design will exist and how it might interact with existing power structures.

Method & Evidence

AimHow do dominant political actors employ coercive and consensual strategies to reshape societal norms and individual subjectivities, and what are the varied responses from subordinate groups?

MethodTheoretical analysis and case study examination

ProcedureThe study analyzes the February 28 process in Turkey as a hegemonic project, examining the mechanisms used by the military to enforce secularism and the diverse responses from religious groups, including exit, submission, liminal resistance, and violence.

ContextPolitical science, sociology, Turkish politics

Variables

IVCoercive and consensual strategies employed by dominant actors

DVResponses and survival strategies of subordinate subjects

CVSpecific socio-political context of post-1997 Turkey

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a nuanced understanding of subject responses beyond binary oppositions.
+Applies complex theoretical frameworks to real-world political events.

Limitations

The political context is highly specific and may not directly translate to simpler design problems.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity relies on the theoretical framework and the interpretation of historical events. Reliability would depend on the consistency of applying Gramscian concepts to similar political analyses.

Think critically

To what extent can design itself be considered a form of hegemonic practice, and how can designers mitigate the potential for their work to be used in ways that limit user agency?

Design Principles

"Design for agency: Acknowledge and accommodate the diverse strategies individuals employ to navigate imposed systems."

Understanding how hegemonic forces design social and political landscapes offers designers insights into the subtle ways in which design can influence user perception and behavior on a large scale. This perspective encourages a critical examination of the underlying power structures that shape design contexts and outcomes.

What This Means for Your Design

Think about how powerful groups can change society by force or by making people agree, and how different people react in different ways, not just by fighting back or giving in.

How to use in your project

1.Use the concept of hegemonic design to analyze how existing products or systems in your chosen field might be shaping user behavior or identity.
2.Consider how your own design project might be influenced by or contribute to similar power dynamics.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights how hegemonic forces can shape societal norms and individual subjectivities through a combination of coercion and consent. This framework is relevant to design practice by underscoring the need to critically analyze the power dynamics inherent in design contexts and to consider the diverse strategies users employ to navigate imposed systems, moving beyond simplistic notions of resistance or compliance.

Source

Bilkent University Institutional Repository (Bilkent University)

Politics of re-building hegemony and the subject in post-1997 Turkey

journal · 2011

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about hegemonic design: shaping subjects through coercion and consent?: Recognize that design interventions, whether intentional or not, can operate within broader power structures, influencing and being influenced by societal norms and individual agency. Evidence: Bilkent University Institutional Repository (Bilkent University) (2011).
Why does "Hegemonic Design: Shaping Subjects Through Coercion and Consent" matter for design?: Understanding how hegemonic forces design social and political landscapes offers designers insights into the subtle ways in which design can influence user perception and behavior on a large scale. This perspective encourages a critical examination of the underlying power structures that shape design contexts and outcomes.
How can designers apply this research?: Recognize that design interventions, whether intentional or not, can operate within broader power structures, influencing and being influenced by societal norms and individual agency.
What were the main findings?: Hegemonic projects utilize both coercive and consensual means to achieve their aims.. Subordinate groups exhibit a range of survival strategies beyond simple resistance or submission.. Globalization and the adoption of Western norms can be a strategy for subaltern groups to navigate hegemonic pressures.
What research method was used?: Theoretical analysis and case study examination.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2011 journal from Bilkent University Institutional Repository (Bilkent University).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When analyzing a design brief or a user group, consider the existing power dynamics and how the proposed design might reinforce or challenge them.
What are the limitations?: The study is specific to the political context of Turkey and may not be directly generalizable to all design scenarios.