Abstract
The paper explores the interplay between disciplinary knowledge creation in basic and applied design research on the one hand and experimental design on the other. As part of my dissertation, several case studies were analysed among them a long-term research project which was conducted at the C_Lab for customization design at the Academy of Art and Design Offenbach, Germany. Subject-matter of this research were the various implications and effects, that digital technology will have on design, on product semantics, the role of the designer and the user as co-designer. It included questions and hypothesis basic for design as well as experimental furniture design. Firstly, the paper presents the case, which provides rich inside into research that combines a quest for fundamental understanding of the field with considerations of use and practice. In a second step it will be analysed how knowledge creation and experimental design practice takes place in iterative hermeneutic circles, mutually inspiring and correcting. Finely I will classify the case study within a conceptual framework set up by Donald E. Stokes, who argued for a dynamic model of use-inspired basic research.
Keywords
case study, design research, practice-led research, semiotics, customization design
Citation
Steffen, D. (2006) Use-Inspired Basic Research: Improved Understanding and Innovative Products - a Case Study, in Friedman, K., Love, T., Côrte-Real, E. and Rust, C. (eds.), Wonderground - DRS International Conference 2006, 1-4 November, Lisbon, Portugal. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2006/researchpapers/98
Use-Inspired Basic Research: Improved Understanding and Innovative Products - a Case Study
The paper explores the interplay between disciplinary knowledge creation in basic and applied design research on the one hand and experimental design on the other. As part of my dissertation, several case studies were analysed among them a long-term research project which was conducted at the C_Lab for customization design at the Academy of Art and Design Offenbach, Germany. Subject-matter of this research were the various implications and effects, that digital technology will have on design, on product semantics, the role of the designer and the user as co-designer. It included questions and hypothesis basic for design as well as experimental furniture design. Firstly, the paper presents the case, which provides rich inside into research that combines a quest for fundamental understanding of the field with considerations of use and practice. In a second step it will be analysed how knowledge creation and experimental design practice takes place in iterative hermeneutic circles, mutually inspiring and correcting. Finely I will classify the case study within a conceptual framework set up by Donald E. Stokes, who argued for a dynamic model of use-inspired basic research.