Cultural practices of design in the horizon of life-creation

Abstract

his article explores the phenomenon of design as a complex cultural practice that serves as a key instrument of human life-creation. Design is considered not merely as a process of creating material objects or environments, but as a way of consciously constructing the life-world, shaping value orientations, lifestyles, and existential strategies. Contemporary approaches to the philosophy of design and its cultural and anthropological dimensions are analyzed, emphasizing the role of design practices in processes of self-constitution and structuring everyday life. It is shown that design functions as a mediator between the individual and cultural reality, influencing bodily, emotional, and social experiences, as well as modes of self-understanding and the formation of life narratives. The ambivalence of design is highlighted: on the one hand, it opens opportunities for self-expression, creativity, and individual autonomy; on the other hand, it may reproduce standardized behavior patterns determined by market logic and mass culture. Key theoretical challenges in understanding design are identified, including the underdeveloped conceptual framework, limited analysis of its life-creating potential, and the need for an interdisciplinary approach for a comprehensive understanding of cultural practices. The article outlines directions for further research, particularly regarding the development of ethical and educational strategies for design, the integration of the philosophy of life-creation, and the formation of methodological foundations for analyzing cultural practices in the contemporary cultural context. The results of the study may be useful for philosophers, cultural scholars, designers, educators, and researchers in the humanities working at the intersection of culture, education, and technology, as well as practitioners interested in the development of conscious and responsible life design.