J. of Design Research (10 papers in press)

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• Assessing design approaches' political role in the public sector.  
  by Federico Vaz, Maria Ferreira 
  Abstract: Governments worldwide are increasingly adopting design tools and methods to explore new ways of public policy-making and governance. Such design approaches are often portrayed as politically neutral. Building on contemporary research that argues the contrary, this paper proposes a framework for making their political dimension explicit by distinguishing between the artefacts, techniques, and discourses that compose them. This paper is based on an interactive session held at DRS2018, where design practitioners and academics piloted the proposed framework and follow-up interviews with some of the participants. The analysis revealed the recurrence of certain themes, in particular the reinforcement of existing power relations and the encroachment of market logics into the public sector through the introduction of design approaches. This, we argue, shows how the proposed framework contributes to the awareness of the political implications of design tools and methods used in the public sector by making their underlying political conceptions visible.
  Keywords: design; public sector; political; ideologies.
  DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2022.10046541
   
  
• Reflections on the potential of risk in the design process  
  by Tássia Ruiz, Celso Scaletsky, Stan Ruecker 
  Abstract: The concept risk carries great theoretical potential for a better comprehension of the design process. The purpose of this paper is to identify and think about risk in the design process as it has been treated by authors of the area. In the same way, it tries to investigate how other areas of knowledge approach the theme. The exploratory nature of this research seeks to make explicit risk in design as a symbolic weft woven throughout the process, which stimulates the raising of new questions and expands the possibilities of project choice. Although risk related to design outcomes should generally be minimised, risk understood during the design process as taking risks, as opposed to playing it safe, is important for projects with goals that involve changing the status quo.
  Keywords: risk; design process; strategic design; surprises.
  DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2021.10047540
   
  
• Graduate instructional design students using empathy as a means to an end  
  by John Baaki, Monica Tracey, Elizabeth Bailey, Smruti J. Shah 
  Abstract: Empathy is the ability to identify with other people's thoughts and feelings. Measuring empathy is difficult and questions have surfaced regarding if empathy is the most appropriate way to design. As instructional design instructors and practitioners, we view empathy as a means to an end. We taught an empathic design approach to 34 graduate instructional design students where students, working in teams, participated in a design project for a non-profit organisation. This qualitative study investigated how graduate students demonstrated empathy for adult learners. We witnessed design teams demonstrate empathy for adult learners as documented instances of empathy were included in the final design project. Implications of empathy for action in design, implications for designer preparation, and implications for design research are discussed.
  Keywords: empathic design; design education; design processes; designer preparation; reflective practice; design research.
  DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2021.10047541
   
  
• The state of industrial design or industrial design in a state: an exploration of the current status of industrial design.  
  by Matthew Tommey, Karl Hurn, Mark Evans 
  Abstract: Industrial design appears to be losing relevance in the post-industrial world, overtaken by newer fields of the digital information age. As a consequence, industrial design finds itself in an uncertain position, lacking clear definition and consistency. This paper attempts to identify the current status of industrial design via a survey of individuals (n = 120) with an understanding of the field and an appreciation of design movements. Focus was directed towards the definition of industrial design, the existence of design movements and the extent to which these factors impact upon present-day industrial design. Conclusions drawn from the results suggest that the field requires reform and reassessment of core values, towards reassertion with a clear and concise identity to enforce relevance and position.
  Keywords: industrial design; design movements; industrial design definition; industrial design progression; current state of industrial design; industrial design purpose; industrial design history.
  DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2021.10047542
   
  
• Design thinking and project management: an analysis of the relationship between their characteristics  
  by Daniel Canfield, Maurício Moreira e Silva Bernardes 
  Abstract: Design Thinking (DT) and Project Management (PM) have received significant attention from the academic community. Yet, there is a lack of rigorous studies that have identified the complementary nature of these methods. To address this gap in knowledge, this study aims to identify and relate the key characteristics of DT and PM. A triangulation was established between the data from the literature, e-mail interviews, an online discussion forum, a workshop and interviews with experts in DT and PM. The result shows that the DT and PM characteristics identified are highly compatible and complementary. This study can be used by scholars and practitioners in the fields of DT and PM to understand the main characteristics to be adopted and practised by project participants, thus serving as a guide for recruiting and training them.
  Keywords: design thinking; project management; characteristics; compatibility; complementarity.
  DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2021.10047543
   
  
• The role of conceptual structural design in the architectural education  
  by Luca Sgambi 
  Abstract: Modern architectural design requires a strong multidisciplinary component. In this paper, the subject of teaching the Conceptual Design in the School of Civil Architecture of the Politecnico di Milano is dealt with. The course, characterised by a strong multidisciplinarity, aims to deal with the project of architecture not only from the architectural composition point of view, but also from that of other disciplines which intervene in the design process. The didactic activity carried out has allowed to make some considerations on the classical design strategies (top-down, bottom-up) and to search a multidisciplinary approach with more emphasis on the collaboration among various disciplines. The theme developed seems to be of great interest for the teaching methodologies as well as for tools developers supporting the design process.
  Keywords: design education; architecture; multidisciplinary design.
  DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2021.10047544
   
  
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