Short answer

Designers should view their practice as a form of inquiry, consciously reflecting on their intentions and rationales, and considering how their design process and outcomes can contribute knowledge to the wider field.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: PEARL (University of Plymouth) (2009)
Method: Philosophical inquiry and case study analysis
Evidence: Moderate effect

Interaction design can be understood as a pragmatic experience driven by the designer's inquiries, intentions, and rationales, rather than just a set of methods. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2009 study published in PEARL (University of Plymouth). Using Philosophical inquiry and case study analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should view their practice as a form of inquiry, consciously reflecting on their intentions and rationales, and considering how their design process and outcomes can contribute knowledge to the wider field.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Interaction Design as a Pragmatic Inquiry: Centering the Designer's Experience

Interaction design can be understood as a pragmatic experience driven by the designer's inquiries, intentions, and rationales, rather than just a set of methods.

PEARL (University of Plymouth) · 2009

Key Findings

01Interaction design is more than a collection of methods; it is a pragmatic experience centered on the designer's inquiry.
02The integrity between a design inquiry and its resulting actions, along with the transferability of findings, are key assessment criteria.
03Interaction design can be viewed as a distinct field that generates knowledge through its practice.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When undertaking a design project, document your design process not just as a series of steps, but as a narrative of your inquiries, decisions, and the rationales behind them. Consider how your project's outcomes could inform future design efforts.

Project actions

01Document your design journey as a series of inquiries and reflections.
02Clearly articulate your intentions and the rationale behind your design decisions.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop a pragmatic theory of interaction design that positions the designer at the center and frames the practice as an experience shaped by inquiry.

MethodPhilosophical inquiry and case study analysis

ProcedureThe research developed a theory based on philosophical pragmatism and illustrated it through self-reflexive accounts of two interaction design research projects: a tangible museum guide and a responsive environment for physical play.

ContextInteraction design research and practice, specifically in the context of museum exhibits and interactive environments.

Variables

IVDesigner's inquiries, intentions, and rationales

DVIntegrity between inquiry and action, transferability and discursiveness of findings

CVSpecific design context (e.g., museum exhibit, interactive environment)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a novel theoretical framework for interaction design.
+Highlights the active and intellectual role of the designer.

Limitations

It can be challenging to objectively assess the 'integrity' of a design inquiry and action. The transferability of findings may be difficult to prove without further research.

Reliability & validity

Reliability would be low as each designer's inquiry is unique. Validity is strong in terms of representing the designer's subjective experience and process, but external validity for generalizability might be limited.

Think critically

To what extent can a design inquiry truly be separated from the designer's personal biases and pre-existing knowledge, and how does this affect the objectivity of the generated knowledge?

Design Principles

"Design practice is a knowledge-generating inquiry, where the designer's judgment and interpretation are integral to the outcome."

This perspective shifts the focus from a purely technical or user-centric approach to acknowledging the designer's active role in shaping the interaction. It suggests that the designer's judgment and interpretation are crucial to the design process and the knowledge generated.

What This Means for Your Design

Think of designing as a journey of discovery where you, the designer, are the explorer. Your questions, ideas, and reasons for making choices are just as important as the final product. The success of your design can be judged by how well your actions match your original intentions and if others can learn from your journey.

How to use in your project

1.Frame your design process as a series of inquiries, detailing your intentions and rationales.
2.Discuss how your design actions were guided by your interpretations and judgments.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This design project was approached as a pragmatic inquiry, where the process of exploration and the designer's intentions were central to the development of the final solution. The design decisions were guided by a continuous process of interpretation and judgment, aiming for integrity between the initial design questions and the implemented features. The outcomes are considered not only for their immediate function but also for the knowledge they contribute to the broader field of interaction design.

Source

PEARL (University of Plymouth)

EXPERIENCING INTERACTION DESIGN: A PRAGMATIC THEORY

journal · 2009

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about interaction design as a pragmatic inquiry: centering the designer's experience?: Designers should view their practice as a form of inquiry, consciously reflecting on their intentions and rationales, and considering how their design process and outcomes can contribute knowledge to the wider field. Evidence: PEARL (University of Plymouth) (2009).
Why does "Interaction Design as a Pragmatic Inquiry: Centering the Designer's Experience" matter for design?: This perspective shifts the focus from a purely technical or user-centric approach to acknowledging the designer's active role in shaping the interaction. It suggests that the designer's judgment and interpretation are crucial to the design process and the knowledge generated.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should view their practice as a form of inquiry, consciously reflecting on their intentions and rationales, and considering how their design process and outcomes can contribute knowledge to the wider field.
What were the main findings?: Interaction design is more than a collection of methods; it is a pragmatic experience centered on the designer's inquiry.. The integrity between a design inquiry and its resulting actions, along with the transferability of findings, are key assessment criteria.. Interaction design can be viewed as a distinct field that generates knowledge through its practice.
What research method was used?: Philosophical inquiry and case study analysis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2009 journal from PEARL (University of Plymouth).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When undertaking a design project, document your design process not just as a series of steps, but as a narrative of your inquiries, decisions, and the rationales behind them. Consider how your project's outcomes could inform future design efforts.
What are the limitations?: The theory is heavily reliant on the designer's self-reflexive accounts, which may introduce bias. The transferability of findings might be context-dependent.