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BACK
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Ethnography For Designers

Ethnography for Designers (Routledge, 2016) teaches architects and designers how to listen actively to the knowledge people have about their own culture. This approach gives structure to values and qualities. It does this by noting the terms and underlying structure of thought people use to describe aspects of their culture. By responding to underlying cognitive patterns, the architect can both respond to the user and interpret creatively. Thus, ethno-semantic methods can help designers to enhance their professional responsibility to users and, at the same time, to feel fulfilled creatively. This book is a practical guide for those teaching social factors and social research methods to designers and for those using these methods in practice.

Professor Cranz holds a Ph.D. in sociology and is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. She teaches social and cultural approaches to architecture and urban design. Emphasizing ethnography as a research method, she brings users' as well as creators' perspectives to our understanding of built environments.

Work
MORE INFORMATION

UNDERSTANDING DESIGN VIDEO
Northeastern University School of Architecture

Galen Cranz Presentation and Interview

 

"THE BEST POSTURE IS THE NEXT POSTURE"
ONE ON ONE -- audio program Galen Cranz speaks with Amelia Taylor-Hochberg at Archinect

Link to One on One audio program

 

A CONVERSATION WITH GALEN CRANZ (pdf)
Portland Spaces magazine by Melissa Dalton

Portland Interview with Galen Cranz

CONTACT

Galen Cranz, Professor of Architecture

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