Short answer

Treat your design process and prototypes not just as outcomes, but as integral components of your research, capable of generating and demonstrating knowledge.

Field: Modelling
Source: FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk (2013)
Method: Theoretical framework development supported by a case study.
Evidence: Strong effect

Design artefacts and the processes used to create them can serve as valid and rigorous tools for design research, bridging the gap between creative practice and academic inquiry. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk. Using Theoretical framework development supported by a case study., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Treat your design process and prototypes not just as outcomes, but as integral components of your research, capable of generating and demonstrating knowledge.

Study

ModellingHigh ImpactStrong effect

Design artefacts as rigorous research tools

Design artefacts and the processes used to create them can serve as valid and rigorous tools for design research, bridging the gap between creative practice and academic inquiry.

FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk · 2013

Key Findings

01Design processes and artefacts possess inherent research potential.
02A balanced integration of theory and creative practice is crucial for robust design research.
03Existing research frameworks often overlook the unique contributions of design's experiential and creative nature.

Application

Design takeaway

Treat your design process and prototypes not just as outcomes, but as integral components of your research, capable of generating and demonstrating knowledge.

How to apply

When undertaking a design research project, meticulously document your creative process, including iterations, material explorations, and decision-making. Analyze these elements alongside your final artefact to draw research conclusions.

Project actions

01Document your entire design journey, not just the final product.
02Clearly articulate how your creative choices and explorations lead to specific insights.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop a framework for design research that integrates creativity and experiential knowledge with academic rigor, exploring the role of design processes and artefacts within this framework.

MethodTheoretical framework development supported by a case study.

ProcedureThe paper examines the ontological, epistemological, and methodological aspects of design research, proposing a framework that accommodates both creative exploration and academic rigor. It then illustrates this with a case study of the author's work, demonstrating how design processes and artefacts can contribute to theoretical and practical advancements.

ContextDesign research methodologies

Variables

IVDesign process stages, material choices, iterative feedback loops.

DVEmergent knowledge, validated design principles, user insights, artefact functionality.

CVResearch question, theoretical framework, documentation standards.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Validates design practice as a research methodology.
+Provides a framework for integrating creativity with rigor.

Limitations

Ensuring that the subjective nature of creative exploration is balanced with objective analysis and clear justification for design decisions.

Reliability & validity

Reliability is addressed through consistent documentation of the process and clear articulation of rationale. Validity is established by demonstrating how the artefact and its creation process directly inform and answer the research question.

Think critically

How can the inherent subjectivity of creative design processes be reconciled with the demand for objectivity and replicability in academic research?

Design Principles

"Embrace the artefact as a research instrument."

This perspective challenges traditional research paradigms by validating the tangible outputs and iterative development inherent in design as legitimate sources of knowledge. It encourages researchers to embrace the unique strengths of design methodologies, leading to richer, more contextually relevant insights.

What This Means for Your Design

Your design work itself can be research. The way you make things and the things you make can teach us new things, just like a science experiment, if you think about it carefully and explain it well.

How to use in your project

1.Frame your design process and artefacts as the core methodology for generating and testing your research hypotheses.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research project adopts a framework where the design process and its tangible artefacts serve as central instruments for knowledge generation. By meticulously documenting and analyzing the iterative development, material explorations, and decision-making inherent in the creation of [mention your artefact], this study aims to provide rigorous insights into [mention your research area], demonstrating how creative practice can be a powerful component of academic inquiry.

Source

FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk

Explorative Materiality and Knowledge. The Role of Creative Exploration and Artefacts in Design Research

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about design artefacts as rigorous research tools?: Treat your design process and prototypes not just as outcomes, but as integral components of your research, capable of generating and demonstrating knowledge. Evidence: FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk (2013).
Why does "Design artefacts as rigorous research tools" matter for design?: This perspective challenges traditional research paradigms by validating the tangible outputs and iterative development inherent in design as legitimate sources of knowledge. It encourages researchers to embrace the unique strengths of design methodologies, leading to richer, more contextually relevant insights.
How can designers apply this research?: Treat your design process and prototypes not just as outcomes, but as integral components of your research, capable of generating and demonstrating knowledge.
What were the main findings?: Design processes and artefacts possess inherent research potential.. A balanced integration of theory and creative practice is crucial for robust design research.. Existing research frameworks often overlook the unique contributions of design's experiential and creative nature.
What research method was used?: Theoretical framework development supported by a case study..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2013 journal from FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When undertaking a design research project, meticulously document your creative process, including iterations, material explorations, and decision-making. Analyze these elements alongside your final artefact to draw research conclusions.
What are the limitations?: The framework's applicability may vary depending on the specific design discipline and the research question being addressed. Rigor in framing and analysis is paramount.