Design Science
Design Science is a Design Theory introduced by R. Buckminster Fuller in 1963. During my research i collected some quotes describing what Design Science means, which i present to you in the following pararaphs:
…design was not a science and … design science referred to the scientific study of design
– Wikipedia
… distinction between scientific method and design method
– Wikipedia
For example, when humans have a vital need to cross the roaring rapids of a river, as a design scientist I would design them a bridge, causing them, I am sure, to abandon spontaneously and forever the risking of their lives by trying to swim to the other shore.“
– R. Buckminster Fuller, from Cosmography
Design Science is a problem solving approach which entails a rigorous, systematic study of the deliberate ordering of the components in our Universe. Fuller believed that this study needs to be comprehensive in order to gain a global perspective when pursuing solutions to problems humanity is facing.
– https://bfi.org/design-science
Design science is the design and investigation of artifacts in context
– Wieringa, R.J.
… a process of recognizing, defining, and solving problems, and of formulating a goal and the systematic path of reaching that goal.
… an integrative discipline wherein the findings of all sciences and humanities are brought to bear to solve humanity’s problems.
– Medard Gabel
According to An Introduction to Design Science by Paul Johannesson Design Science is about a practical problem (practical challenge) which can be be solved by „artefacts„. Artefacts are human made objects, which can be physical objects like a hammer but can also be in different forms , like an architect’s plan.
The function of an artefact desribes, what it can do to support the user in solving the practical problem (e.g. a clock shows the time).
The behaviour of an artefact describes the action to provide the function (clock spins three needles to show the time).
The structure describes the inner working (the clock consists of three needles, a battery and so on).
The environment describes the circumstances and the outer influences, at which the artefact has to operate.
To design an artefact which will solve the problem, all these variables have to be considered.
Back to: Design of Everyday things
What does Design science have to do with Signifiers, Affordances, Conceptual Models and System Images?
The signifiers give us information about the artefacts. Without signifiers, we wouldn’t know, for example, where the artefact is or how it is used. Taking the example from Buckminster Fuller, the bridge across the river, the Signifier tells us where the bridge is, the construction will signify that it will not break when crossing it, etc.
Keeping with the example, affordances invite us to use the bridge. What is the bridge good for when everyone is still trying to go through the river.
The conceptual model is the most difficult to connect with Design science. I would argue, that it’s not important to understand how the artefact works, as long as the artefact solves the problem (and the user knows how to apply the artefact).
System images are vital for design science, in my oppinion. The bridge, for example, is of no use if people don’t know how to pass it.
Looking back to my projects of Lesson 1 – 3, the box is a good example. I have chosen the design to achieve the three goals, not to impress or anything else – which is what design science is about. The problem was to solve the three challenges (rub, grab, turn) with three artefacts (duct tape, eyecatcher, arrows).