Discussion for Week 2 - September 4 - Design process knowledge

The papers for this week focus on what designers do from a process perspective. To guide discussion, consider the following questions (click on the link at the bottom to post your reflections):

- What do designers "do"? What does this suggest about what they "know" (in other words, what might be reasons for the ways they "do" design)?

- How does this relate to ideas about "good design"?

- How does this compare to what you know about design or to the representations of design we discussed today?

The readings:

• Adams, R. S. (2002). “Understanding design iteration: Representations from an empirical study,” Proceedings of the International Conference of the Design Research Society, September, London.
• Atman, C. J., Chimka, J. R., Bursic, K. M., & Nachtman, H. L. (1999). A Comparison of freshman and senior engineering design processes. Design Studies, 20 (2), 131-152.
• Dorst, K. & Cross, N. (2001). “Creativity in the design process: co-evolution of problem-solution.” Design Studies, 22 (5), pp. 425-437.
• Mehalik, M.M. & C. Schunn (2006). “What constitutes good design? A review of empirical studies of design processes.” International Journal of Engineering Education, 22 (3), Special Issue on Learning and Engineering Design.

Sign up for snacks

Hi all,

If you are interested in bringing snacks for class - please respond to this blog - and let us know which week you want.

Snacks can be super simple and cheap :)

Welcome to Design Cognition & Learning

This is a blog to support online conversations for the Fall 2008 Design Cognition & Learning course offered through the School of Engineering Education at Purdue University. Class members will be invited to post comments to discussion topics here, and other members of the design research or engineering education research community are invited to participate or lurk as they see fit.