Design: One, but in different forms

This paper defends an augmented cognitively oriented "generic-design hypothesis": There are both significant similarities between the design activities implemented in situations and crucial differences between these and other cognitive activities; yet, characteristics of a design situation (i.e., related to the design process, the designers, and the artefact) introduce specificities in the corresponding design activities, cognitive structures that are used, and resulting design. We thus combine the generic-design hypothesis with that of different forms of designing. In this paper, we propose a series of candidates underlying such forms of design, outlining a number of directions that need further elaboration. Keywords. Generic design; Cognitive design research; Design cognition; Design practice; Design theory. Based on their empirical studies of "activities as diverse as software design, architectural design, naming and letter-writing," one of Thomas and Carroll (19...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2007
• Where: CORR
• Authors: Willemien Visser
• Keywords: CORR 2007, Design, Design Activities, Education, Generic-design Hypothesis