Design-based evidence collection and evidence-based design (DEED) model

Abstract

The DEED (design-based evidence collecting and evidence-based design thinking) model offers a structure in which designers and scientists can effectively support one another in the development of both design and knowledge. The model offers one possible implementation of the applied and basic combined strategy to research [1]. DEED offers a design strategy that (1) immediately - supports design; in the (2) short term - supports organizational/collective improvements; and in the (3) long term - adds to general knowledge to support society as a whole (4) all while ensuring that researchers do not interrupt the design process, and (5) scales well for small and large organizations. This paper introduces the DEED model, its stages, and explores the distinction between design thinking and the design thinking process. The DEED model is an example of the latter, and is a strategy to gain deep knowledge by building on contemporary design strategies. The DEED model anticipates potential points of concern between designers and scientists working in collaboration and offers a structure to support risk-taking and innovation in a manner that may not be typical of a design process with researcher involvement. DEED offers a robust strategy to incrementally increase general knowledge, and to pointedly improve design.