Design management in a design office: Development of the knowledge base

Abstract

In this second paper in a series of three, the aim is to develop a theoretical knowledge base for design science research (DSR) activity within the next paper. This is primarily a literature review based paper, inspired by the problems summarized in the first paper. The paper starts with a description and justification of the prototheory of design and design rhetoric. It has been argued that the design science has been concerned with the artefact rather as a technical than a social phenomenon. It is opportune to propose that the proto-theory of design and design rhetoric represent different, yet related dimensions of a productive act (techne). These concepts provide the necessary prescription for the root cause analysis of the problems addressed within the first paper and practical design and design management conceptualization within the third paper.