To Martin, Robin, Francois, Derek, Gunnar and all,
Thank you for your comments and insights.
Martin,
Thank you for reminding me that art-based approaches remain useful in some
areas of design.
I've worked across several areas of design so I come across many different
approaches. It seems helpful to be aware other design approaches are more
useful in other areas of design.
In your earlier email to me, it seemed from how you responded that you were
thinking about 'solution-space analysis' in an odd way. My next email
described it in more detail in terms of a design situation (book cover
design) in which art-based approaches have been more commonly used.
Your reaction and that of Robin surprised me as you seemed to be arguing
that the only way to design was via art-based methods.
This seemed to echo the literature in design which has had a parochiality
in which authors in each design field have often seemed to assume that field
and its methods are the only 'true' approach to design.
That's a bit difficult as there are a lot of very different design fields! I
feel it's useful to take an overview of the relative balance of design
fields. In the best estimates I've come across (mine and James Moultrie
from Cambridge Uni), the Art and Design fields cover around 5% of the total
design work undertaken. The remaining 95% is divided between the technical
design fields and other design fields that are neither technical nor 'art
and design' (e.g. education curriculum design).
This balance in design fields can be seen if you look at the design of
(say) an iPhone or iPad in which the design work undertaken by Apple that
would typically be associated with Art and Design (i.e appearance and
interface) may be only about 1% of the total design work needed for each
product.
Recent reports of Apple's design processes that the design approach used by
Apple for the visual aspects of these devices is closer to the engineering
product design methods of the 60s rather than 'creative art'/'empathic'
design methods. Perhaps others with experience of Apple could comment
better.
I understand the benefits of art-based design approaches in some areas of
'Art and Design' design fields. It's clear those working in areas of design
different from 'Art and Design' are also aware of art-based approaches to
design and their benefits and shortfalls. It's less obvious those working
in 'Art and Design' areas of design are similarly aware of the design
approaches used in other areas of design and their benefits and limitations.
My earlier posts were intended to help bridge this gap.
Best wishes,
Terry
==
Dr Terence Love
Love Design and Research
PO Box 226, Quinns Rocks
Western Australia 6030
[log in to unmask]
www.love.com.au
+61 (0)4 3497 5848
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