Design management

Abstract

There are many, sometimes conflicting definitions of both "design" and "management". Each is an interplay between physical action in the real world and the mental picture the designer/manager has of that activity. Indeed they have a lot in common, but because of their separate history and terminology, that common ground is lost in a fog of conflicting concepts. When you try to combine them into a single process, "design management", it becomes very difficult to conceive an adequate mental model, which encompasses both parts. This paper will explore this interplay in more detail to find the management knowledge and understanding content essential for designers and design courses.