Cindy,
There are opportunities today for applied social scientists to participate
in the front end of the design development process. It is not a big field,
but it is growing.
Most of the people I know who do this kind of work came from psychology or
anthropology. I don't think an advanced degree is required, but it does
appear to be a common trait and it certainly does help.
The biggest challenge for newcomers is how to get applied experience in this
new field. Companies are looking for people who already know what to do. I
was lucky in getting into it over 20 years ago with no applied experience at
all because I was part of an "experiment in interdisciplinary design" (Dave
Smith, RichardsonSmith, 1981). But it is not that way today.
I do know that Motorola, Intel and Microsoft have applied anthropologists on
staff and I am sure there are other companies who do, too. Some design firms
such as IDEO, Smart Design, etc. have social scientists on their teams, as
well.
Hope that helps. We can continue our conversation off-line if you'd like.
Liz
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on 11/23/03 5:28 PM, Cindy Jackson at [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Hi!
>
> My name is Cindy Jackson, and I have a big question for Liz Sanders and a
> small question for Ken Friedman.
>
> First, let me introduce myself. I took a bachelor's degree with a double
> major in anthropology and philosophy. I was working on a graduate degree
> when my husband got a job in the Midwest. When we moved, I started working
> in educational media and shifted to web design. Now I'm thinking about
> finding ways to bring my what I learned in my academic life together with my
> workin design. A friend told me about this list and here I am.
>
> My question for Dr. Sanders: How does someone with a background in
> anthropology and philosophy get into the kind of work you do? What sorts of
> opportunities are available in design firms or in companies that work with
> design in some way?
>
> My question for Prof. Friedman: Don't you use Herbert Simon's definition of
> design? You didn't metnion it in your note defining design.
>
> Hope you will find the time to answer.
>
> Cindy
>
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