Ah, the weekend. Nothing is more relaxing than being able to spend all weekend doing... homework. Ah, well so goes the college life.
Highlights
- Northwestern 66,
- Duke 79,
Anyways, what is this really for?
This past week in school, I've been thinking about the EDI program so far, and what I've learned, and how I may or may not be applying stuff from first quarter into my second quarter work. Part of this blog series is supposed to have us discuss the past week's speaker(s) from the Segal Design Seminars, and now, I will.
This past week, we benefited from having Jodi Forlizzi, a prestigious professor and lecturer from Carnegie Mellon University speak to us about research and design, the combination of the two, and the application of the two. She herself has come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and has a lot of experience in different fields, such a graphic design, interfacing, robotic technology, etc.
The subject of her presentation was the "cautious revolution in design research", covering briefly topics about different types of research, design research (or research through design) in particular, and then giving examples of applying this 'revolutionary' approach to a variety of projects studying human interaction and the application of technology to every day life.
I think what struck me was how much sense "research through design" made in the cases she gave. The examples and the methods she presented to use via examples (NurseBot and SnackBot) resonated with me, as through the EDI program we have been utilizing a lot of this research method. The cycle of research to concept to additional research is something that although sound simple, when presented from a completed manner, provides a very clear and 'whole' picture of the project, much more so than a simple 'research to concept' study. Take last quarter, where the entire class for DSGN 401-1 participated in group projects studying the use of bottle closures in the home (home cleaning, baby products, dry and wet foods). In the EDI program, the method for performing research and doing these projects is one of iteration, whereby doing research promotes creating concepts, and the feedback promotes (or is) additional research. This is true for EDI, the EDC program, IDEO, and an indefinite number of other firms and organizations.
Although I was initial guarded and doubtful of the term ‘cautious revolution’, I believe Professor Forlizzi is onto something very important, and that this revolution will really actually change how research is conducted in many situations (I know, revolutions usually mean change). As with any research, there are flaws or shortcomings, but I believe for many situations, a change or move towards a more ‘research through design’ approach will result in better analysis, better concepts, and a better end product.
Of course, so far, this is all “should be’s” and “can be’s”. This past week, I was also thinking about life after school, and how much I will actually take away from this program. So far, I feel like I understand a lot of the concepts and methods taught, and had the opportunity to apply them through my classes, but what after in a year? I think that one difficulty for a designer, or an engineer trained in design is there is the obstacle of adapting your knowledge and skills to the organization you are working for. There are many companies in product development that are adapting to have a more whole and pure approach to the research they perform, but many others who choose not to change, or have yet to hear about this magical research method.
The question remains, who will change these companies? Are these companies being driven out of business by the more success companies? How much of a difference does design research make in the marketplace? Perhaps what might be best would be to run a double blind study on two studies, one that is a research through design study, and one that is a typical research study, and by developing quantifiable and qualitative markers for research we could determine that…
I’m calling Cardinals by 10.
I hope everyone has had a good week and a good weekend.
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2009/01/the_true_21st_century_begins.php (cool article for the bored)
