Design methods: Difference between revisions

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==Methods and Processes==

The development of design methods has been closely associated with prescriptions for a systematic process of designing. These process models usually comprise a number of phases or stages, beginning with a statement or recognition of a problem or a need for a new design and culminating in a finalised solution proposal. In his 'Systematic Method for Designers' [[L. Bruce Archer]] produced a very elaborate, 229 step model of a systematic design process for industrial design,<ref>http://www.dubberly.com/concept-maps/archers-design-process.html</ref> but also a summary model consisting of three phases: Analytical phase (programming and data collection, analysis), Creative phase (synthesis, development), and Executive phase (communication). The UK's [[Design Council]] models the creative design process in four phases: Discover (insight into the problem), Define (the area to focus upon), Develop (potential solutions), Deliver (solutions that work).<ref>https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/news-opinion/design-process-what-double-diamond</ref> A systematic model for engineering design by Pahl and Beitz has phases of Clarification of the task, Conceptual design, Embodiment design, and Detail design.<ref>Pahl, G. and W. Beitz (1984) ''Engineering Design: a systematic approach'', Springer/Design Council, UK.</ref> A less prescriptive approach to designing a basic design process for oneself has been outlined by [[John Christopher Jones|J. Christopher Jones]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=J. Christopher|title=design methods for everyone |url=http://publicwriting.net/2.2/designmethodsforeveryone.html|website=publicwriting.net |accessdate=21 December 2018}}</ref>

In the [[engineering design process]] systematic models tend to be linear, in sequential steps, but acknowledging the necessity of iteration;. inIn architectural design, process models tend to be cyclical and spiral, with iteration as essential to progression towards a final design. In industrial and product design, process models tend to comprise a sequence of stages of divergent and convergent thinking. The Dubberly Design Office has compiled examples of more than 80 design process models,<ref>Dubberly, H. (2004) ''How do you design: a compendium of models''. Dubberly Design Office, San Francisco, USA. http://www.dubberly.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/ddo_designprocess.pdf</ref> but it is not an exhaustive list.

Within these process models there are numerous design methods that can be applied. In his book of 'Design Methods' [[John Christopher Jones|J. C. Jones]] grouped twentysix methods according to their purposes within a design process: Methods of exploring design situations (e.g. Stating Objectives, Investigating User Behaviour, Interviewing Users), Methods of searching for ideas (e.g. Brainstorming, Synectics, Morphological Charts), Methods of exploring problem structure (e.g. Interaction Matrix, Functional Innovation, Information Sorting), Methods of evaluation (e.g. Checklists, Ranking and Weighting).<ref>Jones, J. C. (1970) ''Design Methods: seeds of human futures''. Wiley, UK.</ref>