Design Research Through Practice: From the Lab, Field, and Showroom is a revision of the 2011 classic design book. Written by world-renowned experts in the field of design and human-computer interaction (HCI), it focuses on one type of contemporary design research known as constructive design research. It looks at three approaches to constructive design research: laboratory research, field research, and the Showroom. The book shows how theory, research practice, and the social environment create commonalities between these approaches. It illustrates how one can successfully integrate design and research based on work carried out within industrial design and interaction design. Thoroughly revised since the original edition with contemporary case studies, up-to-date modelling, and a brand new chapter on 'Studio: research from the heart of design', the book begins with an overview of the rise of constructive design research, as well as constructive research programs and methodologies. It then describes the logic of studying design in the laboratory, design ethnography and field work, and the origins of the Showroom and its foundation in art and design rather than in science or the social sciences. It also discusses the theoretical background of constructive design research, along with modelling and prototyping of design items. Finally, it considers recent work in Lab that focuses on action and the body instead of thinking and knowing.
Design Research Through Practice: From the Lab, Field, and Showroom expands on the original edition to embrace the changes to design research and design-oriented HCI, including: the rise of social design; the rise of GenAI; changes in service design and design thinking; collaborations with scientists; and the rise of craft research and so called practice-based research.
- Gathers design research experts from traditional lab science, social science, art, industrial design, UX and HCI to lend tested practices and how they can be used in a variety of design projects
- Provides a multidisciplinary story of the whole design process, with proven and teachable techniques that can solve both academic and practical problems
- Presents key examples illustrating how research is applied and vignettes summarizing the key how-to details of specific projects