Short answer
Designers and researchers should actively seek to understand and build upon existing design knowledge, using structured methods to position their contributions within the broader landscape of problem and solution spaces.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2020)
- Method
- Conceptual modelling and framework development
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Effective design practice relies on systematically building upon and evolving existing design knowledge, rather than treating each project as an isolated endeavor. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Journal of the Association for Information Systems. Using Conceptual modelling and framework development, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and researchers should actively seek to understand and build upon existing design knowledge, using structured methods to position their contributions within the broader landscape of problem and solution spaces.
Design Knowledge Accumulation: Building on Past Successes for Future Innovation
Effective design practice relies on systematically building upon and evolving existing design knowledge, rather than treating each project as an isolated endeavor.
Journal of the Association for Information Systems · 2020
Key Findings
- 01Design knowledge is not always effectively accumulated or evolved in Design Science Research.
- 02A conceptual model can map design knowledge contributions within problem and solution spaces.
- 03Individual DSR projects both consume and produce design knowledge.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and researchers should actively seek to understand and build upon existing design knowledge, using structured methods to position their contributions within the broader landscape of problem and solution spaces.
How to apply
When starting a new design project, conduct a thorough review of existing research and design precedents. Use a problem-solution space map to identify gaps and opportunities for building upon prior work.
Project actions
- 01Clearly articulate how your design project builds upon existing research or design solutions.
- 02Consider creating a visual map to show the relationship between your work and prior art.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a conceptual framework for understanding design knowledge evolution.
- +Offers practical guidance for positioning design contributions.
Limitations
It can be challenging to definitively map all design knowledge, and some innovative ideas may truly be novel without direct predecessors.
Reliability & validity
The conceptual nature of the models means direct reliability and validity testing is complex; however, their utility can be assessed through application and expert review.
Think critically
To what extent can all design knowledge be mapped within problem and solution spaces, and are there instances where truly novel breakthroughs defy such categorization?
Design Principles
"Design knowledge is an evolving, cumulative asset that should be actively managed and leveraged."
Understanding how design knowledge accumulates allows design teams to leverage past insights, avoid redundant efforts, and accelerate innovation. This systematic approach ensures that new design projects are grounded in a robust foundation, leading to more impactful and sustainable design solutions.
What This Means for Your Design
Think of design knowledge like building blocks. Instead of always starting from scratch, we should learn from the blocks others have already used and try to add new, better blocks to the collection for future builders.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this paper when discussing the importance of building upon existing design knowledge in your project's introduction or literature review.
- 2.Use the concepts of problem and solution spaces to analyze the context of your design challenge.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This design project acknowledges the principle that effective design practice is an evolutionary process, building upon a cumulative body of knowledge. By systematically reviewing and integrating existing design solutions and research within defined problem and solution spaces, this project aims to contribute to the ongoing evolution of design knowledge, avoiding the pitfalls of isolated innovation and maximizing its potential impact.
Source
Journal of the Association for Information Systems
Special Issue Editorial –Accumulation and Evolution of Design Knowledge in Design Science Research: A Journey Through Time and Space
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about design knowledge accumulation: building on past successes for future innovation?
- Designers and researchers should actively seek to understand and build upon existing design knowledge, using structured methods to position their contributions within the broader landscape of problem and solution spaces. Evidence: Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2020).
- Why does "Design Knowledge Accumulation: Building on Past Successes for Future Innovation" matter for design?
- Understanding how design knowledge accumulates allows design teams to leverage past insights, avoid redundant efforts, and accelerate innovation. This systematic approach ensures that new design projects are grounded in a robust foundation, leading to more impactful and sustainable design solutions.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and researchers should actively seek to understand and build upon existing design knowledge, using structured methods to position their contributions within the broader landscape of problem and solution spaces.
- What were the main findings?
- Design knowledge is not always effectively accumulated or evolved in Design Science Research.. A conceptual model can map design knowledge contributions within problem and solution spaces.. Individual DSR projects both consume and produce design knowledge.
- What research method was used?
- Conceptual modelling and framework development.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from Journal of the Association for Information Systems.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When starting a new design project, conduct a thorough review of existing research and design precedents. Use a problem-solution space map to identify gaps and opportunities for building upon prior work.
- What are the limitations?
- The proposed models and maps are conceptual and require empirical validation across diverse design domains.