Short answer

Consider how design can facilitate a user's internal journey or self-reflection, moving beyond purely functional or externally gratifying interactions.

Field
Classic Design
Source
Scholars' Bank (University of Oregon) (2013)
Method
Literary analysis and historical contextualization
Evidence
Moderate effect

Classic American poets, particularly in the modernist period, shifted the focus of desire from external sensual objects to an internalized, intellectual pursuit, shaping a conception of the self as a distinct and self-contained entity. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in Scholars' Bank (University of Oregon). Using Literary analysis and historical contextualization, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Consider how design can facilitate a user's internal journey or self-reflection, moving beyond purely functional or externally gratifying interactions.

Study
Classic DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

The 'Self-Referential Subject' in Classic American Poetry: A Shift from Sensual Objects to Internalized Desire

Classic American poets, particularly in the modernist period, shifted the focus of desire from external sensual objects to an internalized, intellectual pursuit, shaping a conception of the self as a distinct and self-contained entity.

Scholars' Bank (University of Oregon) · 2013

01

Key Findings

  • 01American modernist poets increasingly rejected sensual objects as the focus of desire.
  • 02Desire was redirected towards the self and the creative mind.
  • 03This redirection led to a conception of subjects as whole, discrete, and isolated.
  • 04Poetic techniques evolved to support this shift, such as the transformation of objects into static images or the use of imagination to remake the world.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Consider how design can facilitate a user's internal journey or self-reflection, moving beyond purely functional or externally gratifying interactions.

How to apply

When designing products or services that aim to evoke emotion or personal meaning, consider how to guide the user's internal reflection and sense of self.

Project actions

  • 01When analyzing classic designs, consider the underlying philosophical or cultural ideas that might have influenced their form and function.
  • 02Explore how the 'purpose' or 'desire' associated with a product has evolved over time.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow did American modernist poets redefine the concept of desire and its relationship to the self, and what were the implications for their artistic output?
MethodLiterary analysis and historical contextualization
ProcedureThe research involved distinguishing between different models of desire in poetry, analyzing specific poetic techniques used to redirect desire, and examining how these shifts contributed to a particular conception of the individual subject within the context of 20th-century American cultural and political changes.
Context20th Century American Poetry

Variables

IVPoetic focus on sensual objects vs. intellectual pursuits
DVConception of the subject (sensual, whole, discrete, isolated)
CVHistorical period (20th Century American Poetry), cultural and political changes
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides a nuanced analysis of artistic intent and its connection to broader cultural shifts.
  • +Identifies a specific evolution in the conceptualization of the individual.

Limitations

The findings are specific to a particular literary period and may not be universally applicable to all forms of design or all user groups.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings relies on the rigorous interpretation of literary texts and historical context. Reliability would depend on consistent application of analytical frameworks across different poets and works.

Think critically

To what extent does the modernist conception of the isolated, self-referential subject still resonate in contemporary design, and how might designers challenge or reinforce this idea?

05

Design Principles

"Design for the internal landscape: Acknowledge and engage with the user's subjective experience and internal world, not just their interaction with external objects."

Understanding this historical shift in artistic expression reveals how cultural and philosophical currents influence the very definition of the subject. This has implications for how designers might consider the relationship between external stimuli and internal user experience, particularly in narrative-driven or emotionally resonant design.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Classic American poems sometimes show poets moving away from wanting physical things and instead focusing on their own thoughts and creativity, making the people in the poems seem more separate and independent.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing how historical artistic movements influenced the perception of the user or consumer, particularly in relation to internal versus external motivations.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights a historical shift in artistic expression, where the focus of desire moved from external sensual objects to internal intellectual pursuits. This led to a conceptualization of the individual as a discrete and isolated subject, a perspective that can inform how designers consider user engagement and the creation of subjective experiences.

09

Source

Scholars' Bank (University of Oregon)

Desire and Subjectivity in Twentieth Century American Poetry

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about the 'self-referential subject' in classic american poetry: a shift from sensual objects to internalized desire?
Consider how design can facilitate a user's internal journey or self-reflection, moving beyond purely functional or externally gratifying interactions. Evidence: Scholars' Bank (University of Oregon) (2013).
Why does "The 'Self-Referential Subject' in Classic American Poetry: A Shift from Sensual Objects to Internalized Desire" matter for design?
Understanding this historical shift in artistic expression reveals how cultural and philosophical currents influence the very definition of the subject. This has implications for how designers might consider the relationship between external stimuli and internal user experience, particularly in narrative-driven or emotionally resonant design.
How can designers apply this research?
Consider how design can facilitate a user's internal journey or self-reflection, moving beyond purely functional or externally gratifying interactions.
What were the main findings?
American modernist poets increasingly rejected sensual objects as the focus of desire.. Desire was redirected towards the self and the creative mind.. This redirection led to a conception of subjects as whole, discrete, and isolated.. Poetic techniques evolved to support this shift, such as the transformation of objects into static images or the use of imagination to remake the world.
What research method was used?
Literary analysis and historical contextualization.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2013 journal from Scholars' Bank (University of Oregon).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing products or services that aim to evoke emotion or personal meaning, consider how to guide the user's internal reflection and sense of self.
What are the limitations?
The study focuses specifically on poetry and may not directly translate to all design disciplines. The interpretation of 'desire' is specific to the literary context.