Abstract
This paper explores the use of Design Heuristics as cognitive strategies in idea generation, and how designers’ preferences in heuristic use may change between redesign and novel design problems. In previous work, we found evidence for specific Design Heuristics that support the exploration of the design space, leading to the generation of varied and creative solutions (Yilmaz & Seifert, 2009; Yilmaz, Seifert, & Gonzalez, 2010). This paper presents a new empirical study analyzing the protocols of six professional industrial designers, and the sequences of sketches generated in two differing design tasks. The results show evidence of frequent Design Heuristic use, and their involvement in generating diverse, creative, and practical concepts. Further, the study reveals some differences between designers’ behavior in the two types of design problems.
Keywords
design heuristics, ideation, creativity
Citation
Yilmaz, S., and Seifert, C. (2012) Heuristic Use in Different Types of Design Tasks, 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/154
Heuristic Use in Different Types of Design Tasks
This paper explores the use of Design Heuristics as cognitive strategies in idea generation, and how designers’ preferences in heuristic use may change between redesign and novel design problems. In previous work, we found evidence for specific Design Heuristics that support the exploration of the design space, leading to the generation of varied and creative solutions (Yilmaz & Seifert, 2009; Yilmaz, Seifert, & Gonzalez, 2010). This paper presents a new empirical study analyzing the protocols of six professional industrial designers, and the sequences of sketches generated in two differing design tasks. The results show evidence of frequent Design Heuristic use, and their involvement in generating diverse, creative, and practical concepts. Further, the study reveals some differences between designers’ behavior in the two types of design problems.