Presentation

Design and research are doubly intertwined: while research is inherent to design as a professional activity, academic research must accompany its development as a discipline. At the dawn of the 21st century, as interaction design, user experience, and game design were emerging practices, Brenda Laurel compiled a catalog of research experiences in her book Design Research (2003). Drawing on this perspective, which combines advances in design techniques and methods with academic and theoretical aspects of design in an organic way, other approaches have emerged and solidified in recent times: co-design, design thinking, universal design, or speculative design, to name a few.

Regarding research in design, some authors broadly agree on the description of the three typologies of research conducted in design (Frayling, 1995). Thus, research about design (Cross and Findeli 1999) is approached from historical, cultural perspectives, semiotics, etc., while research for design (Dorst, 2008; Friedman, 2003; Roth, 1999; Sanders 2008) is situated within design projects and at any of their development phases. Finally, research through design (Jonas, 2007; Findeli 1995) is conducted using design and its methods to achieve results that can contribute to both design and other disciplines.

On the other hand, research and design can be aligned with a purpose producing the modalities of “design for” (social and climate justice, citizen participation and democracy, etc.). This field of action is marked by social science methodologies: media studies, anthropology and sociology of design, STS, etc. Consequently, research is situated at a fertile intersection of disciplines.

What perspective does design bring to research? What methods and principles are fundamental to research? What challenges and scenarios arise in the hybridization with other disciplines?

Beyond essentialisms and acknowledging the multiplicity of approaches in design research, in this conference, we aim to delve into this diversity and its potential to address the challenges of contemporary society.

We look forward to welcoming you in Barcelona on December 4-5, 2024, at the UOC facilities.