Description
Book SynopsisOrganized to follow the workflow of an architect or interior designer, this book introduces tools for busy practitioners to find and apply research for their design projects. Tools for planning, executing, and ultilizing research are presented in an easily followed format along with case studies, sources, and applications.
Trade Review"The author advises is on the best research techniques to use at each stage of the design process, with helpful chapters on research instruments, data collection techniques, and rules of thumb. With contributions from prominent design researchers,
The Designer's Guide to Doing Research is an indispensable read for any student of design research who wants to spring into action." (
Contract Magazine, June 2012)
"The book offers a tremendous assortment of research tools, ranging from finely-tuned versions of familiar client survey preference forms to plans for innovative on–site charrettes and keenly focused post–occupancy evaluations." (ArchNewsNow.com, February 2012)
Table of ContentsForeword: The Necessity for Research vii
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: Before You Do Design Research xi
Research versus Insight xiii
The Research/Design Relationship xiv
Why This Book? xv
Why Research? xvii
Design as Research xviii
Knowing xxii
Thinking and Knowing xxvi
A Scientific Method xxix
Asking the Right Questions xxx
Chapter 1 Design Research and Its Influence on the Practice of Design 1
Generalizing Design Thinking 1
Design Research as a Means for Attraction and Retention 3
Design Research as a Means for Social Reform 3
Design Research as a Response to the Need for Design Speed 3
Design Research to Build a Sustainable Knowledge Base 4
Design Research to Gain Understanding of Cultural Distinctions 5
Design Research as a Source of Value 6
Core Concepts 6
Endnotes 7
A Story of Practice: Making the Implicit Explicit 8
Chapter 2 Researching: Context, Process, General Concepts 19
Economic Context of Design and Research 19
Design Process 22
Research Process 23
“Good” Research 25
Owning the Information 29
Planning and Organizing a Project-Specific Comprehensive Research Plan 30
Overview of Types of Research 32
Differences in Types of Research: Applied or Theoretical 33
Comparing Research Tools 34
Merits of Using Several Different Research Tools to Answer Any Research Question 40
Core Concepts 40
Endnotes 42
Chapter 3 What to Learn 43
Informing Design-Related Change 43
Design-Project-Based Information Gathering 46
Social-Science-Based Information Needs 51
Core Concepts 77
Endnotes 78
Chapter 4 The Goals of Project Initiation 81
Research for Competitive Advantage 81
Secondary Information 84
Peer-Reviewed Studies 87
Literature Reviews 88
Within-Firm Archival Research 100
Experience Sampling Method 100
Design Charettes 109
Endnotes 113
A Story of Practice: A Research-Based Marketing Strategy 114
Chapter 5 The Goals of Investigation 125
Research as a Process of Discovering a Client’s Needs 125
Interviews 127
Cognitive Mapping 142
Repertory Grid 144
Annotated Plans 147
Content Analysis—Verbal Material 148
Content Analysis—Visual 152
Surveys 156
Public Parks Survey 173
Endnotes 176
A Story of Practice: It Starts with Programming 177
Chapter 6 The Goals of Integration in Schematic Design 189
How Research Informs the Schematic Design Process 189
Research Shapes Refining the Design Strategy 191
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 193
Behavior Mapping 196
Observation 199
Space Syntax 217
Social Network Analysis 218
Discussion Groups 218
Space Simulation 228
Experiments 232
A Story of Practice: Schematic Design 236
A Story of Practice: Design Development 244
Endnotes 266
Chapter 7 The Goals of Implementation 255
How Research Informs the Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) 255
Post-Occupancy Evaluations 257
Case Studies 262
A Story of Practice: Post-Occupancy Evaluation 267
Endnotes 290
Chapter 8 How to Maintain and Access Research Findings 283
Raw Resources 285
Organizational System 287
Additional Considerations 288
Core Concepts 289
Endnote 292
Conclusion: Doing Design Research291
Additional Sources of Information for Design Researchers293
Index 295
