Get Real: The Need for Effective Design Research

Abstract

Designers use intuition in order to envision possibilities. That strength also contains a weakness: a disinclination to account for what exists in reality. That prevents design from evolving into the powerful role that it could otherwise be. Learning about reality requires the tools that are necessary to perform research such as theory and methods. Research tools are essential in order to support an opinion or position, to build design solutions in technically challenging application areas, or to advance design as a leadership role instead of a support role. Better understanding and use of research would enable the designer to evolve from craft-bound artisan toward professional. This essay addresses recent influences on design practice, the opportunity for design to evolve in a professional direction and the methods that will support that evolution.