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Klaus, Tim and All, I heartly agree that by doing (design) you learn the skill, which you cannot learn by reading about or observing others doing it. The skill can be lost if not practiced, or if something happens to impair the skill. The following favourite story from the consulting community illustrates the point. Max the cat was the most prolific lover in the local cat community. Unfortunately he made rather much noise before and during the love-making act. Max's owner and neighbours got rather tired of having their sleep disturbed, and decided to castrate Max. A week went by in peace and quiet, but then Max was bach meuwing more than ever. The owner asked Max what the noise was all about. "Since I can no longer do it, I have established myself as a consultant", Max replied. I take it for granted that any design study requires practicing what is being taught. I also take it for granted that any research study (read PhD degree program) requires practicing the research methods taught. I therefore expect somebody with both an undergraduate and a doctorate to be able to both practice and research design. I do not expect somebody researching design without having a design undergraduate or masters to be able to design. What this implies is that it is not a must to have designing as a part of a doctorate in design. On the other hand a design or designing can be part of a doctorate in design as long as it is combined with scientific research on design. Since mastering scientific research is so important for being accepted in the academic community many people feel the pressure to earn a doctorate, though they do not really want to master that art. At the same time we do need teachers who are good designers to teach designing and be able to advice students while training on doing design. This should be recognized and be rewarded through promotion. In the Norwegian system somebody without a doctorate but with recognized artistry in design can rise to the position of assistant, associate, and professor, even name-chair professor, provided that person also has demonstrated sufficient teaching skills and contribute to the development of teaching in the field. These professors have no duty to do reseach, nor do all of them engage in research, but they do produce and exhibit pieces of art and new designs. I hope this is not a unique solution existing only in my country. Brynjulf Brynjulf Tellefsen Associate Professor Department of Knowledge Management Norwegian School of Management P. O. Box 4676 Sofienberg N-0506 Oslo, NORWAY Phone direct: +47-22985142 Via exchange: +47-22985000 Faximile: +47-22985111 Private phone/fax: +47-22149697 e-mail: [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%