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.
ON THE APPROPRIATENESS OF APPROPRIATE JUDGEMENTS IN DESIGN EVALUATION
Diels, Cyriel; Ghassan, Aysar
Type:
Year:
2015
Editor:
Guy Bingham, Darren Southee, John McCardle, Ahmed Kovacevic, Erik Bohemia, Brian Parkinson
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
Coventry University
Section:
Enterprise
Page(s):
487-492
ISBN:
978-1-904670-62-9
Abstract:
This paper discusses issues related to the knowledge universities can disseminate to commercial
organizations in enterprise-driven ventures. It focuses on the area of automotive design. This industry
is challenged with designing small, yet desirable and beautiful vehicles. In response, we present the
findings of an empirical study which aimed to evaluate if, and to what extent, previously identified
automotive design principles were related to vehicle aesthetics. Automotive design experts were asked
to rate a set of vehicles. Research suggests that such “appropriate judges”—as defined by shared
knowledge and experience—should have a considerable degree of consensus of opinion with regards
to aesthetics. However, this study demonstrated that between experts, large differences existed with
regards to their aesthetic appraisal and underlying design principles. These findings are at odds with
the suggestion that experts should be able to reach a high level of consensus provided the “judges”
share a common education and experience in the relevant domain. This paper puts forward possible
explanations for these findings: (1) a lack of agreement in terms of the meaning of commonly used
descriptive terms in automotive design; (2) existing descriptive principles may not fully account for
differences in appreciation of automotive aesthetics; (3) philosophical issues related to ‘essentialising’
terminology which characterizes human experience. We conclude by suggesting that through
conducting design research, academics may be able to challenge preconceived notions in design. This
ability may in turn fuel design innovation and thus may be very valuable in enterprise ventures
between universities and commercial organizations.
organizations in enterprise-driven ventures. It focuses on the area of automotive design. This industry
is challenged with designing small, yet desirable and beautiful vehicles. In response, we present the
findings of an empirical study which aimed to evaluate if, and to what extent, previously identified
automotive design principles were related to vehicle aesthetics. Automotive design experts were asked
to rate a set of vehicles. Research suggests that such “appropriate judges”—as defined by shared
knowledge and experience—should have a considerable degree of consensus of opinion with regards
to aesthetics. However, this study demonstrated that between experts, large differences existed with
regards to their aesthetic appraisal and underlying design principles. These findings are at odds with
the suggestion that experts should be able to reach a high level of consensus provided the “judges”
share a common education and experience in the relevant domain. This paper puts forward possible
explanations for these findings: (1) a lack of agreement in terms of the meaning of commonly used
descriptive terms in automotive design; (2) existing descriptive principles may not fully account for
differences in appreciation of automotive aesthetics; (3) philosophical issues related to ‘essentialising’
terminology which characterizes human experience. We conclude by suggesting that through
conducting design research, academics may be able to challenge preconceived notions in design. This
ability may in turn fuel design innovation and thus may be very valuable in enterprise ventures
between universities and commercial organizations.
Keywords:
