Abstract
According to Cross (2006), designing can be viewed as a form of intelligence so that its competences can be identified, clarified and cultivated. This paper reviews and extends existing design literature by refining the language that describes design-intelligence and the identification, clarification and cultivation of design-intelligence competences. This document also reports on an initial study that used an Enhanced Reflective Practice Reporting Template within the context of professional practice to highlight: a) the value of improving a designer’s professional inner self-awareness through reflective practice enhanced with non-analytical mental training techniques, and b) that such processes can aid access to a range of mental states helpful for coping with design uncertainty. Furthermore, the concept of ‘stillness’ as a competence of design-intelligence to manage the experience of the effects of design uncertainty resolution is introduced and discussed. This paper concludes that increased inner self-awareness and the ability to access mental states of stillness can help designers to become present to the possibility of transforming both themselves and the world through design. Thus enabling a fuller appreciation of the creative potential in design situations. It is also proposed that deeper aspects of the experience of stillness may extend its reach to wider social contexts.
Keywords
stillness, reflective practice, design intelligence, uncertainty
Citation
Rojas, F., Spencer, N., and English, S. (2012) Stillness as a Competence of Design Intelligence, in Israsena, P., Tangsantikul, J. and Durling, D. (eds.), Research: Uncertainty Contradiction Value - DRS International Conference 2012, 1-4 July, Bangkok, Thailand. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2012/researchpapers/117
Stillness as a Competence of Design Intelligence
According to Cross (2006), designing can be viewed as a form of intelligence so that its competences can be identified, clarified and cultivated. This paper reviews and extends existing design literature by refining the language that describes design-intelligence and the identification, clarification and cultivation of design-intelligence competences. This document also reports on an initial study that used an Enhanced Reflective Practice Reporting Template within the context of professional practice to highlight: a) the value of improving a designer’s professional inner self-awareness through reflective practice enhanced with non-analytical mental training techniques, and b) that such processes can aid access to a range of mental states helpful for coping with design uncertainty. Furthermore, the concept of ‘stillness’ as a competence of design-intelligence to manage the experience of the effects of design uncertainty resolution is introduced and discussed. This paper concludes that increased inner self-awareness and the ability to access mental states of stillness can help designers to become present to the possibility of transforming both themselves and the world through design. Thus enabling a fuller appreciation of the creative potential in design situations. It is also proposed that deeper aspects of the experience of stillness may extend its reach to wider social contexts.