It seems to me that what designers know about especially is the
'artificial world' - the human-made world of artefacts. What they know how
to do especially is the proposing of additions to and changes to the
artificial world. Their knowledge, skills and values lie especially in the
techniques of the artificial. (Not 'the sciences of the artificial'.)
So I would say that design knowledge is of and about the artificial world
and how to contribute to the creation and maintenance of that world. Some
of it is know/ledge/ing inherent in the activity of designing, gained
through engaging in and reflecting on that activity. Some of it is
knowledge inherent in the artefacts of the artificial world (e.g. in their
forms and configurations - knowledge that is used in copying from,
re-using or varying aspects of existing artefacts), gained through using
and reflecting upon the use of those artefacts. Some of it is knowledge
inherent in the processes of manufacturing the artefacts, gained through
making and reflecting upon the making of those artefacts. (And some of
each of these forms of knowledge can also, I hope, be gained through
instruction in them.)
With regards,
Nigel
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|