Practice research in design: Towards a novel definition

This working paper offers a new characterisation of practice research in design through an interdisciplinary, exploratory endeavour to find a shared perspective and vocabulary. It starts by recognising the ongoing debates among academics, practitioners and funders in design, media and the arts about what practice research is and how it can be conceptualised, articulated and communicated. The need to make sense of practice research in design as research—and not just as practice—is a response to arguments separating scientific knowledge from practical knowledge and the formal assessment of research quality in art and design higher education institutions. As design and design research are increasingly called on to produce new solutions and contribute knowledge to address social and public policy issues, these discussions have become more pressing. The paper’s contribution is to propose a new characterisation of practice research in design, through two related frameworks and a definition.

ISBN: 978-1-3999-3081-9