Lorusso's "What Design Can't Do" dissects the evolving role of the designer in an age of automation and democratization of tools. It explores how the profession has shifted from technical expertise to cultural interpretation, navigating the tension between artistry and commodification. The author examines "ornamental politics" and the performance of critical dispositions within design. Lorusso critiques the "self-design" trend in art and design schools, questioning whether they are more focused on identity expression than skill development. The essay calls for an ethos of compromise, urging designers to acknowledge their limitations and the industry's inherent contradictions. It suggests that design education must address the political economy of the field and equip students with a realistic understanding of work and the economy.

Please note that the podcast covers key points from the source with synthetic voices, which may have glitches. It’s a reflective, not comprehensive, interpretation.

Lorusso, Silvio. What Design Can’t Do: Essays on Design and Disillusion. First edition. Eindhoven: Set Margins, 2023.

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