Dear list,
On my blog I recently wrote about the changing nature of design arguments.
[http://transground.blogspot.com/] The text is also below.
I wonder if any of you have studies or writings about this topic?
If so, I would be interested, you can email me directly or answer on the
list.
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Thanks
Erik
The changing nature of design arguments
<http://transground.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-changing-nature-of-design-arguments.html>
When my students in my graduate design theory course have to do interviews
with practicing designers (combined in this year's class, about 100
interviews), one thing keeps surfacing.
In many cases, especially from more experienced designers, they mention the
changing nature of design arguments. This is not unknown, but it is
interesting to see that it is mentioned as a serious change in their
practice. The change of design arguments can be simply characterized as a
shift from a '*show and tell*' model to a '*show and explain*' model.
The show-and-tell model basically means that the designer shows the design
itself (idea, prototype, etc) with its functionality, looks, etc. The
show-and explain model means that the designer also engages in explaining
how they came up with the design, what the process looked like, and what
testing and evaluation they have done that shows the quality of the design.
This is pushing many designers to be much more careful with their process
planning and documentation. And it also forces designers to have a broader
skill set when it comes to their process. They have to engage in more
research like activities.
Interestingly, but not surprisingly, also emerging in these interviews is
that some designers feel as if they have to change their design argument
model only for the purpose of satisfying their client, not because it helps
them in their design practice. Actually, some see this shift as a waste of
time and effort and that it takes time away from their 'real' design
activities. In some cases, they even see it as a form of deception or
pretense. And, since they do not themselves, believe in this form of
arguments they do not feel good about it.
Best
Erik
---------------------------------------------------
*Erik Stolterman Bergqvist*
Senior Executive Associate Dean
Professor of Informatics
School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering (SICE)
Indiana University, Bloomington
http://transground.blogspot.com/
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