The Soul of Objects. An Anthropological View of Design

Why does design matter?
This is one of the central questions posed by Luján Cambariere, and from her answer many paths unfold. Design shapes our everyday lives at every moment—from the possibilities offered by something as simple as a spoon to air travel and the development of surgical instruments that protect our health. For this reason, the relationship between design and people is far more significant than we tend to assume.

This importance becomes evident when we assign a special, almost symbolic value to certain objects we call “talismans.” Objects do not merely serve a function; they carry energy, meaning, and a magic of their own—an aura.

From this perspective, Cambariere turns her attention to design from the Global South, uncovering the distinctive DNA that defines it: imagination as a driving force, the reuse of raw materials, and a commitment to conscious consumption.

A new paradigm has emerged in design, with Latin America at its forefront. It is grounded in the dialogue between craft and design, in fair trade and environmental responsibility, and in an ethical framework that takes precedence over aesthetics alone. The role of the designer has shifted because the context itself has changed—and today, the South has become the new North.

The Soul of Objects is an essential book for understanding the transformations currently reshaping the field of design and the evolving relationship between people and the objects that inhabit the contemporary world.