This book consists in two parts: the first one provides an excellent historical overview of the design, the second contains a discussion in search of a theory of design, then it is necessary to point out historical facts and events so that professionals are aware of the design origins, and make clear that the design is not immune to the economic, political and social conjuntures, in fact is subdued to it.

The P&D Design - Research and Development Brazilian Congress is the biggest design congress on the South America. It's a biannual event dedicated to discuss research and teaching of design in Brazil. This scientific event is consolidating yourself as an important forum of promotion and discussion of issues related to the improvement in knowledge resulting from applied research and basic design research.

This book discusses how much academic programs in Brazilian design courses respects the society and manufacturers needs. It also collect information and discusses the issues in learning design in Brazil and  aims to elaborate strategies that permit the improvement of the field, resulting in more adequated professionals which will develop products respecting our reality and culture.

This book is a paper collection of  different issues, methodological approaches and demands for the Ergonomics application in Design. Technological developments observed in recent decades have provided numerous benefits to increase life quality, but also resulted in several problems in technological interfaces, that may lead to embarrassment, accidents, or frustration for consumers. The articles are reports of researches carried out in the Design Post-Graduation Program  at UNESP, and they highlight the importance of applying ergonomics in product and systems design, in order to develop technologies that improve the quality of human life.