Making the Social Hold: Towards an Actor-Network Theory of Design

ABSTRACT The article illustrates the potentials of an Actor-Network Theory (ANT) perspective to design. Drawing on ANT's assumption that objects with their scripts and incorporated programs of action compel and rearticulate new social ties, I argue that design triggers specific ways of enacting the social. It is impossible to understand how a society works without appreciating how design shapes, conditions, facilitates and makes possible everyday sociality. Viewed as a type of connector, not as a separate cold domain of material relations, design's investigation might shed light on other types of non-social ties that are brought together to make the social durable. The article also discusses some steps towards an ANT of design and suggests a new research program for design studies.