Research is a close reach for knowledge to investigate and solve real world problems.
Design research is a process some challenge the status quo and creating something new for the future.
Three categories:
- Research into and about design : The research reflect on the existed content such as the history and theory and expanded it in a more objective way.
- Research as design: Making design object is, in itself, a process of research.
- Research through design: Take the research from outside and translate the, into the design work.
Primary research: conduct original research to collect new data. The researcher has to take detailed plan.
Secondary research: summary, collation and synthesis of existing research.
The iterative design research process : Research method in seven essential phases: Looking, Learning, Asking, Testing, Evaluating and Selecting and Communicating.
- Opportunity identification: identification of problems
- Brief and specification: Identify customer needs and develop a product design specification
- Concept design: develop different concepts for the design
- Design development: refine chosen concept into a product that satisfies the requirement in the PDS.
- Production: involves how the product is manufactured especially the processes and technique included.
Product design process and methods:
A new products begins with an idea and ends with the production of a physical artifact. To avoid the environmental impact, the impact of the product should be carefully examined. Good ethics and minimal environmental cost should be concerned.
Analyzing research: most qualitative and requires understanding of the bigger picture . Looking for themes, patterns and relationship that are emerging form the research is important. These surprises through questioning will determine the key research findings.
Ethics:
- Must clarify research intentions with participants
- Must clarity how the information is going to be used
- Must inform them when photographs are taken
- Must treat people with courtesy
- Must keep information confidential when participants not willing to share.
