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.
RECONCEPTUALIZING DESIGN THINKING AND EQUIPPING DESIGNERS FOR THE NEXT WAVE OF DIGITAL INNOVATION
Kleinsmann, Maaike; Snelders, Dirk
Type:
Year:
2015
Editor:
Christian Weber, Stephan Husung, Gaetano Cascini, Marco Cantamessa, Dorian Marjanovic, Monica Bordegoni
Author:
Series:
ICED
Institution:
TU Delft, The Netherlands
Section:
Design for Life
Page(s):
557-564
ISBN:
978-1-904670-64-3
ISSN:
2220-4334
Abstract:
With the advent of a third wave of digitization designers are facing new challenges to create products and services. We believe that the far-reaching user involvement and the flexible functionalities of third-wave digital innovation is radically changing the work field of designers. The paper focuses on two main effects of third-wave digital innovation; convergence and generativity. We analyzed the consequence of these two effects on three process-oriented roles of the designer that make up an important part of Design Thinking: (1) the designer as integrator; (2) the designer as boundary creator; and (3) the designer as the user s advocate. Based on this analysis, we propose three new roles that better fit the third wave of digital innovation: (1) designers as function orchestrators; (2) designers as gatekeepers of initiatives; and (3) designers as advocates of human desire. To fulfill these new roles and to equip designers for the new wave of digital innovation, we belief that there is a need for reconceptualizing Design Thinking.
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