Design methods

Introduction

Design Methods focuses on how design can explore possibilities/constraints, and then actively define and manage the specifications of design solutions. The purpose of Design Methods is for designers to focus critical thinking skills to define problem spaces for existing products or services – or the creation a new categories. This can lead to better specifications for traditional design activities. The goal of design methods is to gain key insights, or unique essential truths that can create more holistic solutions to improve the lives of people who interact with the solution. Insight, in this case, is a clear or deep perception of a situation (through design methods) and grasping the inner nature of things intuitively.

Background

History

Design Methods originally drew from a 1962 conference organized by John Christopher Jones, Christopher Alexander and comprised of participants from the fields of engineering, town planning, architecture and industrial design who were dissatisfied with the way their modern, industrialized world was being created. The participants also recognized that the lone designer producing design products did not work with the complexity of post-industrial societies. Designers must work in cross-disciplinary teams where each participant brings their specific skills, language, experiences and biases to defining and solving problems. Throughout the book Design Methods, emphasis is on integrating creative and rational skills for a broader view of design.

Post 1962 Conference

The residual effect of this 1962 conference took many twists and turns, and other than some general attributes there is no one way to practice design methods. The focus has been on developing a series of relevant, sound, humanistic problem solving procedures and techniques to reduce avoidable errors and oversights that can adversely affect design solutions. The key benefit is to find a method that suits a particular design situation.

Resources

Overview

In terms of online resources, they are diverse, home grown and can be somewhat opaque. There are many design methods references in engineering and computer software development references since many of the original participants were in aerospace and computer engineering. John Christoper Jones has a website that has a few original articles about the 1962 conference as well as his thoughts over the years about design methods at [http:www.softopia.demon.co.uk/]