Design generates knowledge. Knowledge that is difficult to acquire by other means, especially in interdisciplinary areas, and that can be used beyond the product that was designed. However, the traditional story of science, as told by academic journals, emphasizes the evaluation of existing ideas, leaving the generation of new ideas underexposed. Because designerly ways of doing research have become more prominent not only for product development, but also for research, research management and policy, it is important to acquire a better understanding of this phenomenon.
Design and the Growth of Knowledge
To extend this understanding, we are hosting a one day symposium at TU Delft to discuss the ties between design and research. On Thursday 10 November the internationally reknowned experts Brenda Laurel,
known of her work at Apple, Interval, Atari and books as 'Computers as Theatre' and 'Design Research', Gillian Crampton Smith,known of the Royal College of Art and Interaction Design Institute Ivrea, Kun-Pyo Lee,
of the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and technology (KAIST), John Thackara, of the Doors of Perception, are joining us in a symposium "Design and the growth of knowledge".
Aim of the symposium is to develop a common understanding of design as an important part of research, and to provide some examples and insight in 'best practice'.
morning symposium (public)
The morning programme consists of a series of public presentations. The event will begin at 9.30 AM and end at 12.30 PM. Admission is free, and designers, students, and researchers, especially in the fields of interaction design, people-centered design, and experience-centered design are invited to attend.
afternoon workshops (invitation only)
The afternoon programme is invitation-only workshop, in which professionals from diverse backgrounds discuss their experience in designing as a form of research. Participants include design researchers from universities, research institutes and small innovation companies; design/research managers from industry; policy makers from industry, overnment and organisations combining arts and technology. This small group of mixed backgrounds is made so we can have cross-fertilization of different perspectives in the workshops.
proceedings
After the symposium, a short proceedings will be made summarizing the presentations and the outcomes of the workshop. Proceedings will be available online, probably mid-December, from this site.