Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Personalizing our Approach to Design
Siggard, Jennifer Liane; Furner, Tressa Ellen; Sumsion, Cecily; Morgan, David
Type:
Year:
2014
Editor:
Erik Bohemia, Arthur Eger, Wouter Eggink, Ahmed Kovacevic, Brian Parkinson, Wessel Wits
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
1Industrial Design Students, Brigham Young University, Provo Utah; 2Industrial Design Professor, Brigham Young University, Provo Utah
Section:
Learning Spaces
Page(s):
209-212
ISBN:
978-1-904670-56-8
Abstract:
Our Industrial Design program is predominantly male. As women, we compared our performance and methods to those of our male classmates’. In our eyes, we lacked something that we could not pinpoint. We thought this was just a personal problem to “get over.” During the research for a recent project, we had the opportunity to work in an environment conducive to developing our own design approach. This proved to be the turning point in our self-concept as designers. We found that our so-called “problem” was not a problem, but an innate difference that needed to be treated as that: a difference. We had been conditioned to look for successful people and emulate their specific method of achieving success. As our program is predominantly male, that is who we assumed we should emulate. We realized that our pattern of success did not need to exactly follow our male counterparts’, but rather we should develop our own approach. This approach included:
- greater emphasis on team cohesion
- group problem-solving discussions
- focusing on end-user needs earlier in the process
- empathy driven research
While our approach is unique to us, this is not necessarily about us being female. We had these experiences while working on an all-female team, but learning to develop a personal design approach can be helpful to design students. Our findings are valuable because approaching design in your own way is not a problem to be solved but rather a difference to be discovered and capitalized upon.
- greater emphasis on team cohesion
- group problem-solving discussions
- focusing on end-user needs earlier in the process
- empathy driven research
While our approach is unique to us, this is not necessarily about us being female. We had these experiences while working on an all-female team, but learning to develop a personal design approach can be helpful to design students. Our findings are valuable because approaching design in your own way is not a problem to be solved but rather a difference to be discovered and capitalized upon.
Keywords:
