Design as Art: An Analysis of Arthur Danto’s Concepts in Relation to Designed Objects (a case study of Karim Rashid’s works)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 PhD Candidate in Philosophy of Art, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study examines Arthur Danto’s philosophical concepts and their relevance to understanding the relationship between art and design. Focusing on key notions such as the artworld, the end of art, and the role of interpretation in defining artworks, the research investigates how Danto’s theory can illuminate contemporary design practices. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and drawing on Danto’s primary texts alongside contemporary design theory, the study explores the extent to which design can be understood within an expanded conception of art. The findings suggest that, for Danto, artistic status depends not on material form but on interpretive context and embodied meaning. This perspective is particularly significant in contemporary design, where functional objects often convey cultural, aesthetic, and conceptual values. To demonstrate the applicability of Danto’s ideas, the study analyzes selected works of Karim Rashid, whose designs blur the traditional boundaries between art and industrial design through their expressive forms, visual narratives, and conceptual dimensions. The research concludes that Danto’s philosophy provides a valuable framework for understanding design as a meaning-producing and culturally embedded practice. By reconsidering the relationship between art and design through Danto’s theories, the study contributes to ongoing discussions in aesthetics, contemporary art theory, and design studies.

Graphical Abstract

Design as Art: An Analysis of Arthur Danto’s Concepts in Relation to Designed Objects (a case study of Karim Rashid’s works)

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References

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Journal of Philosophical Investigations
Volume 20, Issue 55 - Serial Number 55
Articles
Issue 55, Summer 2026
July 2026
Pages 97-112

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