Scientific research into designing, while doing justice to designing

Abstract

This paper outlines some interests shared by cybernetics and design research that are incompatible with the ideals of natural science. The experimental design of an ongoing research-into-design study is presented, which aims to bridge the aforementioned incompatibility. The study investigates the degree of congruency between perceptions of "creative direction-giving" between collaborating designers. Pilot study results indicate low congruencies, possibly due to designers lack of sensitivity towards their team dynamics. The methods applied in this study were chosen and developed to accommodate both the (design) cybernetic and natural science perspective.