Design Research Methodology: Knowledge Inquiry Through Constructive Design Research

Abstract

Design is a distinct discipline with mode of inquiry that different from science and humanities. It is a process with specific purpose with its own methodologies. Therefore, design output became a form of knowledge. In academia, design output is a form of research in various dimensions such as new knowledge that create transformation, problem solving for humanity, creating new perception and the exhibition of design output is a form of design knowledge distribution. Design research also play another role in transmitting knowledge back and forth between basic knowledge and society especially the research thorough design. The goal of “constructive design research” is to create through design process that results in 3 approaches as follows: 1) Design Practice Provides Methods, put design practice at the center of the research process and come up with new ways of using existing tools and creating new design tools that emphasizing on experiences and engagement; 2) Turn to Technology and Sandbox Culture, emphasizing on the selection of existing technologies and use engineering imagination to create prototype; 3) User Experience as Center of Design Research; emphasizing on emotional experience and empathy which widely use in leading design companies.