07 Mar Project Details
As two Graduate students in the MDes program in Strategic Futures & Innovation at Ocad University, we’re required to complete a major research project to complete our studies. However, this project has morphed into something more than a requirement.
We entered the MDES program with little design experience – with no exposure from an undergraduate program and limited opportunities in our professional lives – and at the end of a two year experience, we were left wondering, “what is the future role of design and designers?”
Indeed, we were motivated to dive deeper into the history and potential futures of design, by MIT Technology Review’s provocation that “If design is everything, is it anything?”
Our research story
All design involves shaping the future – from an industrial design prototype to a strategic designer grappling with the complexities of inter connected systems, each one is moving towards an intended future. To design futures, we need more than research, analysis and synthesis. We need a commitment to and deep appreciation of design methods. Ultimately, Design moves people towards a preferred future.
Whose future? How to frame complex problems? How to consider and weigh potential future pathways? These vexing issues paralyse inexperienced designers who often feel that experienced designers just know what to do and how to do it. It can look like magic.
How then does an inexperienced designer move from novice to expert?
OUR APPROACH
Starting with an extensive literature review, we explored the changing definition of design and the timeline of design history. Through a survey and interviews with design professionals, we considered the perception of design within organisations and businesses; the premise of a shift in the focus of design activities, from the ‘maker-designer’ to the ‘strategic-designer’ ; and habits of practice and recommendations for novice designers.
After a period of synthesis and reflection, we derived a collection of insights, that we’ve used as design criteria to guide and shape our design mentor prototype – a combination of physical prompt cards, encouragement for analog and /or digital reflection and the opportunity to interact with an AI chatbot with a helpful designer persona.
In May 2024 we will provide a link to our research paper and in the meantime, we encourage readers to download the prompt cards and interact with the Design Mentor.
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