Ancient Artifacts: An Investigation about Designers’ Solutions for Tackling Similar Problems in Neighboring Civilizations in a Same Period of Time

A comparative analysis of ancient seals from Shahr-i-Sokhta (Helmand) and Mohenjo-Daro (Indus Valley) reveals that both civilizations prioritized aesthetic, symbolic, and formal design dimensions over functional or engineering considerations during the same historical period. The study employed a two-step research method: first, defining comparative factors based on three product design dimensions—functional, aesthetic, and symbolic—and selecting four seals from each civilization; second, evaluating seal similarities through a Design-by-Analogy (DbA) questionnaire administered to 34 Iranian industrial designers. This approach highlights the shared emphasis on artistic and symbolic expression in ancient design solutions, offering insights into the cultural and creative strategies of neighboring civilizations.

merrikhpour, z., Ghiasian, A., jalali, u., & Khodadadeh, Y. (2024). Ancient artifacts: An Investigation about Designers` Solutions for tackling Similar Problems in Neighboring Civilizations in a Same Period of Time. Journal of Design Thinking, Online First. https://doi.org/10.22059/jdt.2024.380087.1126