Theme 5: Design Research

1. The empirical data of Finding Design Qualities in a Tangible Programming Space is the evidence that was gained by observing the kids while they were trying out the ‘creator block’. And the empirical data of Differentiated Driving Range: Exploring a Solution to the Problems with the “Guess-O-Meter” in Electric Cars was the results that was gained by doing a state-of the art analysis, testing their prototype ‘Guess-0-Meter’ and earlier interviews.

Examples of data of Differentiated Driving Range: Exploring a Solution to the Problems with the “Guess-O-Meter” in Electric Cars

-The two arrows that they added in their concept ‘Differentiated Driving Range’ needs more work concerning, colour, size, shape and location to make it easier for the drivers to see and understand it.

-That depending on the climate control the speed that gives the longest driving range can differ

-They also came to the realization that the battery probably needs to become more transparent, so that drivers can easily understand the correlations.

-That the maximum driving range changes with the seasons.

-The car display should be more naturally integrated with the speedometer on the dashboard. So that there will be more space for details.

Examples of data of Finding Design Qualities in a Tangible Programming Space

-Mapping between the physical and the virtual actions is only required at certain points in the interaction.

-The creator blocks can be made to work as interactive resources, not only to build a system, but also for interaction with the system that has been created.

-The creator blocks can be used for tangible representation of actions beyond adding pictures and behaviors to specific positions on the screen.

-Offline activities play as much part in the user interaction as do actions that affect the system displayed on the screen.

2. It can be considered a knowledge contribution as the data that is gathered during this research  is meant to benefit design processes. Design work explores a certain area of interest in a creative way. The results can be information that was not known before the research.

An example is when the ‘Differentiated Driving Range’ was tested, they came to the realization that depending on climate control the speed that gives the longest driving range can differ. If they wouldn’t have tested their prototype, this information might not have become public.

3. I don’t think that there is a difference between these two concepts. I rather think that design intentions is one step before design in general. 

So, I see design intentions as a way to gain information by exploring a certain area and this information helps for an object, idea or a model.

In short, design intentions is a supplement of design in general.

4. I do think that it is replicable, for an example; a prototype can be duplicated in different experiments. But I don’t think that the same results will be gained.

As in this kind of research, time, historical setting, skills of the designers etc. are very important. And except from the available tools and the skills of the designers, none of the other aspects can be replicated such as time and historical setting.

5. 
-In design research it is important that there is made use of new ideas. And other research practices don’t necessary need to use new ideas.

-The whole research process is different from that of other researches, as adjustment can be made during the process.

Sources

-http://reboot.org/2012/02/19/design-research-what-is-it-and-why-do-it/

- Faste, T. Faste, H. (2012) DEMYSTIFYING “DESIGN RESEARCH”: DESIGN IS NOT RESEARCH, RESEARCH IS DESIGN, Education Symposium 2012, Boston.