Abstract

This paper investigates the interpretive nature of film media as a format for tacit knowledge communication in design research. Film is already utilised in this capacity for documentaries and fictional films and the theory of tacit communication is well understood in the field of media studies. Lessons from the use of film in design practice, although more typically used for explicit communication, are also considered. The paper sets the historical context of film theory covering narrative, documentary types, aesthetics, and drawing on semiotics and rhetoric in design. The author describes two case studies: extensive design research was summarised into a short film for communication to an executive audience of decision makers at the University of Technology Sydney in 2008- 9; and looking at the impact of introducing a film summary requirement for graduate project research in the Innovation Design Engineering department at the Royal College of Art from 2006-8. The author’s conclusion is that there is merit in design researchers understanding film theory and practice to better leverage the medium for both tacit and explicit design research communication and the research process.

Keywords

design research, tacit knowledge, film theory, design communication, visual communication, media studies

COinS
 
Jul 1st, 12:00 AM

Learning from Media Studies Theory and Design Practice: Using the interpretive nature of film media for the communication of tacit knowledge in design research

This paper investigates the interpretive nature of film media as a format for tacit knowledge communication in design research. Film is already utilised in this capacity for documentaries and fictional films and the theory of tacit communication is well understood in the field of media studies. Lessons from the use of film in design practice, although more typically used for explicit communication, are also considered. The paper sets the historical context of film theory covering narrative, documentary types, aesthetics, and drawing on semiotics and rhetoric in design. The author describes two case studies: extensive design research was summarised into a short film for communication to an executive audience of decision makers at the University of Technology Sydney in 2008- 9; and looking at the impact of introducing a film summary requirement for graduate project research in the Innovation Design Engineering department at the Royal College of Art from 2006-8. The author’s conclusion is that there is merit in design researchers understanding film theory and practice to better leverage the medium for both tacit and explicit design research communication and the research process.

 

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