Short answer
When designing services, consider the intangible nature of the 'deliverable' and the dynamic 'process' as core elements, not just the physical or digital touchpoints.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Nordic design research conference (2007)
- Method
- Comparative analysis using established design frameworks.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Service design, though less understood than product or interaction design, is a critical and expanding area of design practice that warrants focused attention and structured comparison with established disciplines. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2007 study published in Nordic design research conference. Using Comparative analysis using established design frameworks., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing services, consider the intangible nature of the 'deliverable' and the dynamic 'process' as core elements, not just the physical or digital touchpoints.
Service Design: A New Frontier in Design Practice
Service design, though less understood than product or interaction design, is a critical and expanding area of design practice that warrants focused attention and structured comparison with established disciplines.
Nordic design research conference · 2007
Key Findings
- 01Service design is not as widely understood as product or interaction design.
- 02Interactive artifacts are increasingly being used in service settings.
- 03A comparative framework can be adapted to include service design, highlighting its unique aspects in process, material, and deliverable.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing services, consider the intangible nature of the 'deliverable' and the dynamic 'process' as core elements, not just the physical or digital touchpoints.
How to apply
Use comparative frameworks to analyze new or emerging design fields, identifying their unique characteristics and potential overlaps with established practices.
Project actions
- 01When researching a design field, look for existing frameworks that compare different design disciplines.
- 02Consider how the 'deliverable' of a design project might be intangible, like a service, rather than just a physical object.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a structured approach to comparing design disciplines.
- +Addresses the growing importance of service design.
Limitations
The comparison might be too abstract and not fully capture the practical challenges of implementing service design in real-world scenarios.
Reliability & validity
The validity of the comparison relies on the established nature of the frameworks used and the authors' interpretation of the disciplines. Reliability would be demonstrated if other researchers could apply the same framework and reach similar comparative conclusions.
Think critically
How might the increasing digitization of services further blur the lines between interaction design and service design, and what new challenges or opportunities does this present?
Design Principles
"Design disciplines can be effectively compared and contrasted by analyzing their core processes, materials, and deliverables to foster interdisciplinary understanding and collaboration."
As interactive technologies become integral to service delivery, understanding the unique characteristics and processes of service design is essential for creating cohesive and effective user experiences. This research provides a framework for comparing and contrasting service design with other design disciplines, aiding in its integration and development.
What This Means for Your Design
This research shows that 'service design' is a newer type of design that's like 'product design' or 'interaction design' but focuses on how services work. It suggests we need ways to compare and understand these different types of design better.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the concept of comparing design disciplines to justify your chosen design approach and explain why it's suitable for your specific design problem.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the importance of understanding and comparing different design disciplines, such as interaction design and service design. By adapting comparative frameworks, designers can better identify the unique processes, materials, and deliverables associated with each discipline, fostering more effective interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Source
Nordic design research conference
Interaction design and service design: Expanding a comparison of design disciplines
journal · 2007
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about service design: a new frontier in design practice?
- When designing services, consider the intangible nature of the 'deliverable' and the dynamic 'process' as core elements, not just the physical or digital touchpoints. Evidence: Nordic design research conference (2007).
- Why does "Service Design: A New Frontier in Design Practice" matter for design?
- As interactive technologies become integral to service delivery, understanding the unique characteristics and processes of service design is essential for creating cohesive and effective user experiences. This research provides a framework for comparing and contrasting service design with other design disciplines, aiding in its integration and development.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing services, consider the intangible nature of the 'deliverable' and the dynamic 'process' as core elements, not just the physical or digital touchpoints.
- What were the main findings?
- Service design is not as widely understood as product or interaction design.. Interactive artifacts are increasingly being used in service settings.. A comparative framework can be adapted to include service design, highlighting its unique aspects in process, material, and deliverable.
- What research method was used?
- Comparative analysis using established design frameworks..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2007 journal from Nordic design research conference.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Use comparative frameworks to analyze new or emerging design fields, identifying their unique characteristics and potential overlaps with established practices.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on a theoretical comparison and may not encompass all practical nuances of service design implementation.